In their book, the researchers investigate how social media platforms operate as new spaces for local political interaction, community-building, and public discourse, and they assess their implications for democratic practices.

Drawing upon extensive nationwide research in Hungary, Márton Bene and Gábor Dobos are investigating how social media platforms operate as new spaces for local political interaction, community-building, and public discourse, and they assess their implications for democratic practices. At its core, their work seeks to answer fundamental questions about the nature, scale, and impact of local political engagement online.

Their analysis spans micro-level interactions among individuals, meso-level storytelling agents such as community pages and political figures, and the broader context in which these dynamics unfold. Particular attention is paid to the role of political considerations, especially to how the interests of national political actors are reflected in and serve to energize local, social media-based publics. By offering detailed insights into Hungary's local social media landscape, they provide a broader understanding of the evolving role digital platforms play in shaping contemporary civic life, ultimately informing discussions about the future of community and political engagement in an increasingly digital world.

The book is available on Springer.