E Petitions and Mobilisation Dynamics : The Case of Environmental Engagement of Citizens

Petitions are, like demonstrations and boycotts, a form of political action arising from the people with the aim of issuing a challenge to power (Tiberj, 2017). E-petitions are increasingly recognised as another way for citizens to make their voices heard and/or influence the political agenda. The main aim of this research is to investigate electronically enabled forms of participation and their mobilisation dynamics in three environmental e-petitions. We focus on the local and global dynamics associated with online/offline forms of engagement, and look at the actual behaviour of e-petitioners. We then show how e petition may be seen as an entanglement of on line-offline and global-local dynamics, and explain which factors influence the level of success that a collective movement may achieve in the policy making process.

Our results highlight the benefits of localized engagement in mobilizing citizens and fostering collective action by examining specific case studies in France and Belgium. We also delve into the mechanisms and processes through which e-petitions can trigger mobilization, ranging from social network effects to emotional resonance and issue salience. Last, we analyze how e-petitions can effectively serve as a catalyst for change in environmental policy and promote sustainable practices.

Access to a database on the website lapetition.be, provides the opportunity to overcome a certain number of limitations that are associated with traditional methods of studying political participation, since this allows us to focus on the reality of the signatories’ behaviour rather than on their declarations.

Our research presents a comprehensive case study conducted in France and Belgium, analyzing the dynamics and outcomes of e-petitions focused on environmental concerns. We examine the impact of local engagement, considering geographical, social, and cultural factors that influence the success and effectiveness of online mobilization efforts.