AHPI CEO Tevi Troy Examines How Technology Is Changing Political Conventions

Technology

In a Washington Post op-ed this week, American Health Policy Institute CEO Tevi Troy explained how advancements in technology are shaping political conventions by empowering underdogs and grass-roots activists.  For much of U.S. history, Troy observes, technological advances such as the telegraph, radio, and television have been integrated into political conventions in a way that has favored leading candidates and party leaders.  Now, however, and increasingly in the years to come, technology may undermine party leaders' ability to control the proceedings and the perceptions surrounding them.  "Social media," Troy offers as an example, "offers insurgents and party favorites alike the ability not only to gauge support but also to reach out directly to delegates to make the case for a favored candidate or cause."  On the future of technology's influence on political conventions, Troy states, "Real-time 'fact checking' of speeches as they are given—with rebutting statements shown on the bottom of the screen as politicians talk—could change the way in which voters take in speeches. The excitement over a great convention oration could be dissipated by on-screen debunking of the facts before the post-speech ovation even begins."