Abstract
The Internet has provided scholars a unique opportunity to address the issue of democracy and political polarization by exploring the relationship between political tolerance and selective exposure. This study uses an online panel of Internet users from a major university to explore the degree to which selective exposure to blogs predicts tolerance to viewpoints they oppose. Specifically, this study investigates the degree to which selective exposure as well as reliance on blogs influences political tolerance after controlling for political and demographic factors. Reliance on face-to-face discussion is also examined as a source of direct and indirect influence. The results indicate that both selective exposure and reliance on blogs have no effect on levels of political tolerance; while increased political activity, higher socioeconomic status, and reliance on face-to-face discussion appear to exert a positive influence on political tolerance. Future research should continue examining specific factors that predict political tolerance in order to better understand and preserve a democratic climate conducive to freedom of expression.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Internet Issues |
| Subtitle of host publication | Blogging, the Digital Divide and Digital Libraries |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 147-164 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781607418245 |
| State | Published - 2010 |