Strategy

Strategy

Governance in the Age of Cyberpolitics: An Analysis of the Role of New Media in the Transformation of Governance Structures

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Assistant Professor of International Relations, Faculty Member, Department of Political Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
2 PhD Student, International Relations, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Advancements in modern technologies have brought about fundamental transformations in governance structures. By reshaping the geometry of political power and expanding digital governance, these technologies have influenced governance processes and played a pivotal role in redefining political relations and interactions. Accordingly, the main research question is as follows: What are the impacts of cyberpolitics and new media on governance structures and processes? The research hypothesis posits that cyberpolitics and new media, through the integration of governance domains within information networks, have altered the foundations of democratic governance and transformed its concepts and functions. The findings indicate that the digitalization of governance and the transformation of democratic foundations within the framework of new media have reshaped mechanisms of social mobilization, political protest, civic participation, and the exertion of pressure on governance institutions—shifting politics from the streets to digital networks. Consequently, governance in digital spaces has become more dynamic, and global governance processes have evolved through innovative communication mechanisms. This study aims to analyze the effects of cyber technologies and new media on governance structures and processes by adopting a qualitative approach and employing theoretical analysis. The data for this research were systematically collected through the examination of documents, academic articles, and credible online sources, and analyzed within the framework of concepts related to cyberpolitics, digital governance, and networked political participation.
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  • Receive Date 02 December 2024
  • Revise Date 22 May 2025
  • Accept Date 20 August 2025