Participation and Communication in times of Pandemic. Learning from Civil Society Engagement in Italy

This innovative book situates research on the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of institutional and grassroots participation, participatory and deliberative democracy, and science and risk communication. The authors analyse the democratic challenges and opportunities faced by social movements and civil society organizations in emergency situations, and emphasize the crucial importance of their engagement in solidarity actions. Providing in-depth analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy, with international applications, this book pairs qualitative empirical data with sociological and political theory, drawing on an extensive original collection of interview data. Authors situate civilian responses to the pandemic within a broader crisis framework to explore ongoing debates on social movements, active citizenship, participation, and contemporary political communication. Chapters highlight the role of political actors, media, and scientific expertise in influencing mobilization and public discourse, to analyse the processes that shaped action during the health emergency. Pandemic Communication and Participation is an essential resource for scholars and students of sociology, political communication, and social movements. Its practical guidance and focus on mitigating the risks of future health emergencies also makes it a beneficial read for policymakers and practitioners in public health.