The Italian's Five Star Movement (M5S): A ‘Cybercratic’ party?

This chapter discusses the use of the internet in politics and its potential manipulation focusing on the case of the Italian Five Star Movement (Movimento 5 Stelle - M5S). First, the democratic vision of the party is discussed with reference to its leaders but also looking selectively at the discourse of elected representatives. The analysis of M5S’ digital democratic practices is focused on two aspects of the platform used by the Movement: a) the consultations taking place online on the same blog which are limited to registered users, b) the possibility to participate in the amendments to draft laws elaborated by M5S’ MPs (restricted to registered users as well). The most recent developments of Grillo’s party are then examined, discussing the critical aspects of «cybercratic centralism», a peculiar organizational principle heavily based on ICTs.