Socjologia polityki wobec polityki sondażowej. Socjolog - naukowiec - obywatel

Abstract

A contemporary analysis of social sciences, including sociology, which describe the con-dition of democracy shows that they are filled with concern about future redistribution of freedom and power participation. In this we seem to be the undisputed sons of Western civilization with its ancient roots in the pessimistic view of democracy. A question arises: what is a chance and what is a threat to democracy? The politics of surveys is a form of populism. When the Internet broke the monopoly of the classic media, there emerged a kind of professionals trolls and haters setting up portals that spread propaganda and misinformation. Thus, influencing voters starts at their home on their computer. Hate speech has become widespread. Are we getting closer to civic journalism or rather to some kind of electronic ochlocracy embellished with pluralism and egalitarianism in access to information? All these new phenomena necessitate the development of modern political sociology which is primarily concerned with the increasing role of social communication, with particular emphasis on political communication, participatory democracy, and political marketing. These challenges ultimately raise a question to where the line between researcher’s neutrality and passivity is. It boils down to the courage to remain impartial in spite of pressures or the need to unequivocally take the side of truth.