Governing Attention: Politics, Algorithms, and Permanent Conflict
Abstract
This study examines the transformation of political communication in the context of the platform society, focusing on the growing centrality of social media within the hybrid media system. It explores two key dynamics of contemporary politics: the increasing personalization of political competition and the consolidation of the permanent campaign as a dominant mode of political action. The research aims to understand how political leaders use digital platforms to maintain continuous engagement with citizens, strengthen their symbolic capital, and shape the algorithmic reconfiguration of the public sphere. The main research questions address the role of social media in the construction of political leadership and the emergence of disinformation practices within a conflict-driven communication environment. The findings point to a significant relationship between the intensity of leaders’ digital presence and the escalation of political conflict, both within and between coalitions, often accompanied by opaque and disinformative strategies. The study concludes by proposing guidelines for more responsible political communication, aimed at promoting transparency, public trust, and the quality of democratic processes in the digital ecosystem.
Article Details
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Battista, D. (2025). Governing Attention: Politics, Algorithms, and Permanent Conflict. HAPSc Policy Briefs Series, 6(2), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.12681/hapscpbs.45372
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