Ideological homophily or political interest: Factors affecting Twitter friendship network between politicians

ABSTRACT The internet has been praised as a tool that would increase political participation and enhance dialogue between politicians and the public. In fact, the widespread use of social media has turned the internet into a valuable communication channel for both individuals and organizations. Notably, it presented many opportunities for politicians and political parties to reach their constituencies. However, studies on politicians’ social media behaviors reported that they were using social media for broadcasting official political positions and self-promotion. In addition, the social media has become a tool to extend traditional politics into the cyberspace where interaction and exchange between rival political groups are rare and not very productive. As a result, ideological homophily was reported as the most crucial predictor of network formation on social media for politicians. This study explored that finding by analyzing Twitter friendships and retweeting networks of Turkish politicians. It found that political interests were more influential in politicians’ social media networks than ideological homophily.