12 Open Access, “Publicity,” and Democratic Knowledge

Barack Obama's stunning election victory in 2008 was the culmination of a campaign that was energized by social media networks, especially Face-book. Commentators hailed the new president's “virtual network of citizens.” 1 As the 2016 presidential campaign began, it initially looked as if Bernie Sanders's bid for the Democratic nomination was following similar lines. However, as events unfolded it emerged that the impact of social media belonged to Donald Trump, to the “alt.Right” and a populist and nativist reaction against civil rights and equalities of opportunity.