The feminine style, the male influence, and the paradox of gendered political blogspace

• This article explores gender differences in politic al communication among blogging politicians. The article sets out to explore two ba seline questions: (1) Are distinct gendered ‘blogstyles’ to be found among political representa tives? and (2) How do gender and gendered blogstyles interplay and affect the impact of political blogs? The empirical study draws on a survey targeting blogging politicians in Sweden (N=523). The analysis identifies substantial differences in how female and male poli ticians communicate in the blogosphere as well as the outcomes in terms of feedback and impac t. Female politicians, to a greater degree than their male counterparts, utilize blogging for the purpose of fostering a stronger connection with their readers as well as to enquire about ideas and policy perspectives. This strategy seems to be successful for fostering quali tative feedback from readers yet female bloggers have far less impact than their male colle ges. We discuss two potential understandings of these results; relating to gender stereotypes and the network power structure of the blogosphere.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Statsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Political Science (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Genusstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Gender Studies (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Gender; politics; social media; e-democracy; blogs; blogging

Political Science

Statskunskap

Sociologi

Sociology

Gender Studies

Genusvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)