Camerons Conservatives and the Internet Change, Culture and Cyber Toryism [Hardcover]

The internet is changing the way we interact and communicate. But how is it impacting on more historically traditional institutions like the British Conservative Party? This book examines the role of specific internet technologies like ConservativeHome, Facebook, Twitter and WebCameron in the organizational culture of the Tory Party 2005-14.Preface and Acknowledgements Abbreviations 1. Cameron's Conservatives and the Internet 2. Tory Elites and Centralized Internet Operations 3. Blogs: The Conservative Home? 4. Facebook: New Face of Conservative Organization? 5. In the Net: Joining Cameron's Conservatives Online 6. Surrey Conservatives and the Internet 7. Anglesey Conservatives and the Internet 8. Cyber Toryism Bibliography Index

Benefitting from being written from both an academic and an insider perspective, this book effectively outlines the challenges that new technology and social media pose to the organizational and campaign hierarchy that has traditionally characterized the Conservative Party even if it is individual entrepreneurs and not just the grassroots who have been empowered by what's going on. Ridge-Newman shows, however, that the advent of digital democracy doesn't only pose risks for parties; it also offers rewards especially if they recognise, as he clearly does, that online and offline activism can complement each other in ways that might provide a much-needed fillip to political participation among old and young alike . - Tim Bale, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London, UK

Anthony Ridge-Newman's well-researched book is prime reading for anyone interested in the changing nature of the Conservative Party since the expansion of the internet in British politics. This comprehensive analysis of the role of new media in Conservative organization is balanced, thought provoking and an extremely compelling read . - Michael Fabricant, Member of Parliament for Lichfield, UK

Anthony Ridge-Newman plC$