Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/250384 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 21-106
Publisher: 
ZEW - Leibniz-Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung, Mannheim
Abstract: 
We examine the link between Internet usage and political ignorance. We construct a novel Index as a direct measure of individuals' indifference with respect to political issues which determines the degree of individual political ignorance. Our econometric analysis is based on a rich data set consisting of six surveys of individuals covering the time period 2001 to 2014 and being representative for the German electorate. The empirical results show that in the earlier years of Internet diffusion there is a negative link between using the Internet and political ignorance. This link changes sign in later years of Internet diffusion. We discuss potential explanations of this observed change in the link such as information overload and the increase in heterogeneity of Internet users.
Subjects: 
Internet
information cost
indifference index
political ignorance
JEL: 
D80
O33
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
469.65 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.