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Internet Use and Understanding Democracy in Africa

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Abstract

This paper examines how using the internet and social networks as information souces affects individuals' understanding of democracy. Using data from the sixth round of the Afrobarometer survey (2014), which includes both open- and closed-ended questions on democracy, the study analyzes how online information influences political perceptions across African countries. Open-ended responses are structured using ChatGPT. The identification strategy exploits the interaction between lightning activity and 3G coverage, where lightning causes random internet disruptions, providing an exogenous source of variation. Findings reveal that reliance on Internet-based information negatively biases individuals' understanding of democracy, freedom of expression and institutional corruption, while positively biasing perceptions of electoral fairness. Given the strong link between democratic understanding and preferences for democracy, these biases may shape political attitudes. As internet use grows in Africa, its role in influencing political perspective becomes increasingly significant

Suggested Citation

  • Mathilde Maurel & Thomas Pernet, 2025. "Internet Use and Understanding Democracy in Africa," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 25005, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
  • Handle: RePEc:mse:cesdoc:25005
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    File URL: http://mse.univ-paris1.fr/pub/mse/CES2025/25005.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Internet news; Democracy; Misunderstanding of Democracy; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G2 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L6 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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