The Effect of Internet Use on Political Participation

This thesis analyzes the connection between internet use trend of the netizen and political participation. An analysis was made to assess the influence of the political and social tendencies of the netizen and the successful political experience trends on the political efficacy. The result of the analysis shows higher political efficacy and internet political activities for netizens with liberal and revolutionary disposition, Roh Mu Hyun voters and anticipators. This analysis result supports the hypothesis that social and political tendencies and successful political experiences of the netizens affect the political efficacy. In other words, the political use of internet indirectly influences the political participation through the parameter of the netizen's political efficacy. Accordingly, the internet use trend of the netizen influenced their voting participation during the 16th presidential election.