Politics & Governance / Domestic Politics / Democracy & Elections

The Internet Didn't Empower You—It Silenced You (UK Study)

Gavassa, Nardotto, Viletti

Think the internet leveled the playing field? Think again. This deep dive into a landmark UK study from The Review of Economic Studies reveals a brutal paradox: as broadband exploded, local voter turnout collapsed. The researchers used rainfall as a natural experiment to prove causation—not just correlation. They found that every 1% increase in internet access led to a 0.21% drop in voting, but it wasn't even. The working class and young people were hit hardest, trading their political voice for endless entertainment. Local newspapers died, incumbents became unshakable, and politicians slashed budgets for the very people who stopped showing up. This isn't just about UK councils in 2010; it's the blueprint for how technology rewires power today. Authors: Gavassa, Nardotto, and Viletti. Watch to see why the digital age is the new bread and circuses.