Pandemic Communication and Participation: Learning from Civil Society Engagement in Italy (Original PDF from Publisher)

Pandemic Communication and Participation: Learning from Civil Society Engagement in Italy (Original PDF from Publisher)

By Donatella della Porta, Riccardo Emilio Chesta, Daniela Chironi, Stella Christou, Andrea Felicetti

Pandemic Communication and Participation examines the Covid-19 pandemic through the lenses of institutional and grassroots participation, participatory and deliberative democracy, and science and risk communication. The authors explore the democratic challenges and opportunities that emerged during emergency situations, focusing on the role of social movements and civil society organizations and highlighting the importance of solidarity and civic engagement.

Using Italy as a central case study with broader international relevance, the book combines qualitative empirical research, including extensive interview data, with sociological and political theory. Civilian responses to the pandemic are analyzed within a wider context of overlapping crises to shed light on debates around social movements, active citizenship, participation, and modern political communication. The chapters examine how political actors, media, and scientific expertise influenced public discourse and collective action during the health emergency.

This book is a valuable resource for students and scholars of sociology, political communication, and social movements, and it also offers practical insights for policymakers and public health practitioners interested in strengthening participation and reducing risks in future health crises.