I am looking for panelists (and a commentator) for a panel on *“The Changing Realities of Democracy, Politics, and Communication Technologies”* While media attention in recent years has focused on large-scale computer-based data analysis and targeted outreach, communication technologies have long played important roles in domestic and international politics. This session takes a “big tent” approach, ranging from the innovative applications of the hand printing press by Martin Luther in the 16th century and the mechanized printing presses of the 19th century to the 21st century chatbots of Brexit. Areas of interest include (but are not limited to) campaigning, governing, lobbying, data management, and fundraising. Of especial interest are the political use of computer-mediated communications such as bulletin boards, listservs, and other seemingly non-political tools. At the microlevel, an underlying theme is innovative ideas often find initial application by outsiders (e.g., Pat Robinson’s use of videocassettes in the 1988 Iowa primary) and are quickly absorbed by political parties and governments (e.g., radio broadcasts of speeches, sending daily emails to supporters) as pragmatic exploitation replaces near-utopian predictions. At the macrolevel are broader questions about how democracies have appropriated and shaped these technologies – and vice-versa. Significant literature exists on how totalitarian regimes have used communication technologies, particularly radio and television for broadcasting. This panel is an opportunity to explore some of those themes in a democratic setting. Jonathan Coopersmith Professor Department of History Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-4236 979.845.7151 979.862.4314 (fax) Latest article: https://theconversation.com/what-fax-machines-can-teach-us-about-electric-ca... *FAXED. The Rise and Fall of the Fax Machine* (Johns Hopkins University Press) is the co-recipient of the 2016 Business History Conference Hagley Prize for best book in business history.