Affecting the Political Process: Youtube | Religion

YouTube is part of the New Media. New Media consists of the blogosphere, video sharing sites, online forums, and other user generated content. The New Media is trusted exponentially more than Old Media. Old Media consists of television stations, legacy newpapers, and mainstream radio networks.

No longer is the power to disperse information held in the hands of a few men smoking cigars in the editorial room. No longer will people be forced to watch programming that is influenced by special interests and advertisers. The New Media is genuine even though old media outlets try to sneak programming into these new outlets.

YouTube and other video sharing sites are probably the best thing to happen to democracy since the printing press. As far as I can tell YouTube does not normally censor political views that they disagree with. Google, its parent owner will only comply with censorship if the leader of a country demands it such as China, or if an overwhelming legal force happened to force it one them. For the time being it looks like YouTube is a good place to get the latest gauge of what is going on in politics.

We trust people more when we know they are not being paid to say something. The vast majority of users on the Internet will give their two cents for free. It is an easy medium for communication. The bar to entry is low. Thus, anyone and everyone can engage in political discourse without the corrupt old media trying to control the agenda. The New Media may usher in an age where politicians can't afford to tell lies any longer.

Religious affect on politics:

Unfortunately the irrationality of religion is inserted into the political process. Instead of voting on policies based on how they pan out in the real world, religious people may vote based on unproven beliefs or dogma. The founders of the United States wanted a separation between church and state for a reason.

As society gets more educated the force of irrational beliefs subsides. This is already happening in Europe where people basically have to apologize if they are religious. Unfortunately, it is still the case in the United States where politicians have to apologize if they are not religious.

In regards to religious faith and the United States there should be some demographic changes on the horizon which will alter the voting base. For example, the growth of Latin American influence in America may bring a growth in Catholic voters. This is not conclusive however. Even in Italy people are starting to forgoe religious rituals for modern sensibilities.

The most dangerous aspect of implementing relgion into domestic or foreign policy is it's irrational pressure toward conflict. It is obvious why religious fanaticism arises. One major component is low self esteem. In general, psychology is an influencing factor on the political process. Religion is just a cultural symbol used to represent social and psychological needs.