Authors :
Shreyas B. S.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3fhpm694
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/yfzputvy
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar503
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
A deceptive practice of orchestrated grassroots movements to influence public voices is termed "astroturfing."
The mysterious groups disguise the true sponsor and receive funds to amplify astroturf messages using multiple platforms.
When public debate itself is manufactured, the genuine voices disentangle from participation in the democracy. This gives
scope for unscrupulous syndicate plant narratives to befuddle public opinions. The public's dissent against governments
goes unnoticed when a third party, masked as a representative of society, influences the policies, undermining democracy.
Referring to multiple literatures and case studies, this paper aims to examine the patterns of astroturf messages and
techniques employed to erode democratic principles and curb public voices. The study found that unregulated astroturfing
dismantles public deliberations and necessitates a robust legal framework to uphold the democratic ideologies. To
conclude, astroturfing deliberately attempts to dissociate collective public actions so that the bourgeoisie position
themselves as decision-makers to influence the democratic ecosystem. Democracy should ensure that all members of the
group, regardless of their distance, have an equal voice and share in the state’s resources.
Keywords :
Deceptive, Grassroot, Narratives, Dissent, Policies, Democracy.
References :
- Baweja, S., & Mehta, P. (2025, August 12). Digital Deceit: How Astroturfing Produces Democratic Deficits. The India Forum. https://www.theindiaforum.in/law/digital-deceit-how-astroturfing-produces-democratic-deficits
- Bs, S. (2026). A study of specific cases to elucidate astroturfing techniques and policy outcomes. ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities., 3(1), 131–135. https://doi.org/10.70558/spijsh.2026.v3.i1.45495
- Da Rosa Lazarotto, B. (n.d.). The Grass is not Always Greener on the Other Side: The Use of Digital Astroturfing to Spread Disinformation and the Erosion of the Rule of Law. LSU Law Digital Commons. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu/jsjp/vol3/iss1/9/
- Oreate. (2026, January 8). Understanding astroturfing: the deceptive face of political support - Oreate AI blog. oreate.com. https://www.oreateai.com/blog/understanding-astroturfing-the-deceptive-face-of-political-support/72bb6871ed095cf0429d7937f5cecc33
- Rimmer, M. (2025). The Regulation of Astroturfing: A Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5486406
- Ripping up the astroturf: Regulating deceptive corporate advertising methods. (2023, March 28). Iowa Law Review - the University of Iowa. https://ilr.law.uiowa.edu/print/volume-105-issue-1/ripping-up-the-astroturf-regulating-deceptive-corporate-advertising-methods
- S, S. B. (2026). Demystifying astroturfing and Economic narratives in Policymaking: A review of related cases. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT), 2622. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan1399
- Schoch, D., Keller, F. B., Stier, S., & Yang, J. (2022). Coordination patterns reveal online political astroturfing across the world. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08404-9
- Seavert, A. (2025, March 2). Astroturfing in politics: The fake grassroots tactic exposed. Top Political Consulting Company | Sutton & Smart. https://suttonsmart.com/political-consulting/astroturfing-in-politics/
- Tns. (2024, August 16). If AI wrecks democracy, we may never know. Governing. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://www.governing.com/politics/if-ai-wrecks-democracy-we-may-never-know
- Walker, E. T. (2014, July 9). What’s the difference between political grassroots and big-interest Astroturf? UCLA. https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/whats-the-difference-between-political-grassroots-and-big-interest-astroturf
- Walker, E. T., & Le, A. N. (2022). Poisoning the Well: How astroturfing harms trust in advocacy Organizations. Social Currents, 10(2), 184–202. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294965221123808
A deceptive practice of orchestrated grassroots movements to influence public voices is termed "astroturfing."
The mysterious groups disguise the true sponsor and receive funds to amplify astroturf messages using multiple platforms.
When public debate itself is manufactured, the genuine voices disentangle from participation in the democracy. This gives
scope for unscrupulous syndicate plant narratives to befuddle public opinions. The public's dissent against governments
goes unnoticed when a third party, masked as a representative of society, influences the policies, undermining democracy.
Referring to multiple literatures and case studies, this paper aims to examine the patterns of astroturf messages and
techniques employed to erode democratic principles and curb public voices. The study found that unregulated astroturfing
dismantles public deliberations and necessitates a robust legal framework to uphold the democratic ideologies. To
conclude, astroturfing deliberately attempts to dissociate collective public actions so that the bourgeoisie position
themselves as decision-makers to influence the democratic ecosystem. Democracy should ensure that all members of the
group, regardless of their distance, have an equal voice and share in the state’s resources.
Keywords :
Deceptive, Grassroot, Narratives, Dissent, Policies, Democracy.
