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Social media and social change: Protest, activism, and civic engagement

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Matthew J. Kushin, Ph.D.
Matthew J. Kushin, Ph.D.

Slides for Guest Lecture Skype with COMM 4370 New Media Technologies and Communicationat Schreiner University, February 28, 2013. Focuses on the role of the Internet and social media in democracy, protest, activism, and social change.

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Control and Protest: Revolution & social change, blogs/vlogs, and civic engagement.
About Dr. Kushin Department of Communication Shepherd University, WV Research: Social Media, Politics, Civic Engagement Teach: Social media, strategic communication, theory, research @mjkushin | MattKushin.com | G+: Matt Kushin
The Internet & Democracy
Internet & Democracy Competing perspectives of the role of internet in democracy Democratization – positive perspective Fragmentation – negative perspective Creative commons photo credit: Steve Rhode
For Citizens Democratization Good for democracy Brings more people into political process by Increasing information access Empowering citizens to voice their concerns Increasing ability to participate with others Image creative commons by: david_shankbone
For Citizens Fragmentation Bad for democracy Internet media stifles participation It does not connect dispersed populations It cannot unify large populations around a common cause This leaves the individual to feel alienated from the democratic process Photo: creative commons credit Brian Auer
Discussion In last election, did you? Expose yourself to: Diverse perspectives about candidates, issues, or: Mostly / only news & views that supported your opinions? Unfollow or unfriend someone who you disagree with? Hide them from your news feed?
Two Categories of Change Democratic Participation: politics, government, political campaigns Activism: Protest, Direct Democracy, Rebellion/uprising
Democratic Participation  Seeking participation in the democratic election of a candidate or the influence of government laws, regulations, to bring forth desired change. Believe change comes from working within institutional laws and norms to create change.
Activism: Protest, Direct Democracy, & Social Movements Employs an “activist ethic” – that the institution(s) is broken and change must come from the outside. Seeks to bring change to, or overturn perceived oppressive institutions May involve activity seen as “civic disobedience,” which may be illegal Protest Revolution
Social Media & Social Movements
Social Movements Broad social alliances of people connected via a shared interest in enacting or blocking social change. May be loosely organized May be many alliances all working toward common cause Veganism & Peta on next slide = 1 example
Social Movements Social Movement Veganism Deliberative Democracy (inside of laws) Social Movement Organization (SMO) Ex: PETA Activist (outside of laws) Group Earth Liberation Front
Types of movements 2 Aspects Focus: Individual – Get individuals to use a designated driver Society – Change Drinking Age Change Limited change – tougher gun laws Radical change – outlawing gun ownership
Movements & Counter Movements Women’s Rights movement advocates: Abortion Rights Counter movement: Pro-Life Movement – A socially conservative counter movement
Politics as Power Struggle How can new communication technology be used to challenge those in power?
Empowering Social Movements Communication is central to power. Abilities to control dissemination of info key to all power struggles Technology has enabled social movements via: Rapid & inexpensive means of organization Cheap dissemination of propaganda
Comm & Movements Example: American Revolution relied on: Printing Press Federalist Papers - PR campaign of letters to newspapers Common Sense – Thomas Paine
1999 Battle in Seattle Demonstrated organizing capability of Web: Protesters used Internet message boards and email to organize massive protest on the World Trade Organization convention in Seattle, 1999
The Question Is.. What role does social media play in social movements?
Competing Perspectives One side Social media plays an important role in spurring social movements
Competing Perspectives Other perspective The role of social media is overhyped – Social change occurs without social media
Example: Protest / Revolutions Authority controls power by controlling communication Ex: State run media
Egypt & Social Media Video 1: Wael Ghonim of Google http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqHPRHOHcN 8&feature=relmfu
If social media empowers individuals to communicate Spread information Organize Lower barriers to political participation It can undermine authority
International Examples: uprisings Iranian Uprising 2009 Egypt Revolution of 2011
Domestic examples: Protest Occupy Wall Street Movement
Mobile
Smart Mobs 2002 Book by Howard Rheingold
What the Smart Mob? Use of interactive internet and mobile technologies to coordinate collective action Enables constant communication & coordination of dispersed persons
Media production & distribution in the palm of your hand Dramatically increased access to information. Undermined authoritarian control over communication. Empowered citizens. Gave people a voice – many for the first time.
s Photos credit creative commons: bottom left: iCrossing | rest: Interact Egypt - Play Innovation
Discussion What do you think? Is social media a catalyst for change? overhyped? Would change occur without it?
Activism, or…?
Brief Activity Series of “Yes/No” Questions on on next 2 sets of slides. On scrap paper, answer questions #1 On other side of paper, answer questions #2 We’ll discuss.
Questions #1 I have: Signed an online petition Liked a Facebook page for a cause Example: Stop Offshore Drilling, Protect Gun Rights, etc. Retweeted or otherwise relayed information about a cause you care about via social media Wrote a blog post / created art or video
Questions #2 Yes/No: I have: Volunteered for a cause. Donated money to a cause. Protested or gone to a rally. Otherwise worked on behalf of a political candidate, party, or for a cause.
Slacker! Slacktivism – Create a sense of accomplishment for individual But have little impact on political decisions May distract citizens from other, more effective, forms of engagement.
Online v. Offline Participation Some say: That online participation (liking a Facebook page) does not increase offline participation (actually voting) Others argue: Online participation increases awareness and raises interest, motivating offline participation
Example Colby “likes” an anti-offshore drilling page on Facebook As a result, she feels she has supported the cause She doesn’t bother to get involved at a deeper level Ex: Educating others Raising money Volunteering
Discussion Are online activists “unwilling to get their hands dirty and do the efforts required to actually achieve these goals”? Does online activism replace or increase offline activism?
Thanks! @mjkushin | MattKushin.com | G+: Matt Kushin

More Related Content

Social media and social change: Protest, activism, and civic engagement

  • 1. Control and Protest: Revolution & social change, blogs/vlogs, and civic engagement.
  • 2. About Dr. Kushin Department of Communication Shepherd University, WV Research: Social Media, Politics, Civic Engagement Teach: Social media, strategic communication, theory, research @mjkushin | MattKushin.com | G+: Matt Kushin
  • 3. The Internet & Democracy
  • 4. Internet & Democracy Competing perspectives of the role of internet in democracy Democratization – positive perspective Fragmentation – negative perspective Creative commons photo credit: Steve Rhode
  • 5. For Citizens Democratization Good for democracy Brings more people into political process by Increasing information access Empowering citizens to voice their concerns Increasing ability to participate with others Image creative commons by: david_shankbone
  • 6. For Citizens Fragmentation Bad for democracy Internet media stifles participation It does not connect dispersed populations It cannot unify large populations around a common cause This leaves the individual to feel alienated from the democratic process Photo: creative commons credit Brian Auer
  • 7. Discussion In last election, did you? Expose yourself to: Diverse perspectives about candidates, issues, or: Mostly / only news & views that supported your opinions? Unfollow or unfriend someone who you disagree with? Hide them from your news feed?
  • 8. Two Categories of Change Democratic Participation: politics, government, political campaigns Activism: Protest, Direct Democracy, Rebellion/uprising
  • 9. Democratic Participation  Seeking participation in the democratic election of a candidate or the influence of government laws, regulations, to bring forth desired change. Believe change comes from working within institutional laws and norms to create change.
  • 10. Activism: Protest, Direct Democracy, & Social Movements Employs an “activist ethic” – that the institution(s) is broken and change must come from the outside. Seeks to bring change to, or overturn perceived oppressive institutions May involve activity seen as “civic disobedience,” which may be illegal Protest Revolution
  • 12. Social Movements Broad social alliances of people connected via a shared interest in enacting or blocking social change. May be loosely organized May be many alliances all working toward common cause Veganism & Peta on next slide = 1 example
  • 13. Social Movements Social Movement Veganism Deliberative Democracy (inside of laws) Social Movement Organization (SMO) Ex: PETA Activist (outside of laws) Group Earth Liberation Front
  • 14. Types of movements 2 Aspects Focus: Individual – Get individuals to use a designated driver Society – Change Drinking Age Change Limited change – tougher gun laws Radical change – outlawing gun ownership
  • 15. Movements & Counter Movements Women’s Rights movement advocates: Abortion Rights Counter movement: Pro-Life Movement – A socially conservative counter movement
  • 16. Politics as Power Struggle How can new communication technology be used to challenge those in power?
  • 17. Empowering Social Movements Communication is central to power. Abilities to control dissemination of info key to all power struggles Technology has enabled social movements via: Rapid & inexpensive means of organization Cheap dissemination of propaganda
  • 18. Comm & Movements Example: American Revolution relied on: Printing Press Federalist Papers - PR campaign of letters to newspapers Common Sense – Thomas Paine
  • 19. 1999 Battle in Seattle Demonstrated organizing capability of Web: Protesters used Internet message boards and email to organize massive protest on the World Trade Organization convention in Seattle, 1999
  • 20. The Question Is.. What role does social media play in social movements?
  • 21. Competing Perspectives One side Social media plays an important role in spurring social movements
  • 22. Competing Perspectives Other perspective The role of social media is overhyped – Social change occurs without social media
  • 23. Example: Protest / Revolutions Authority controls power by controlling communication Ex: State run media
  • 24. Egypt & Social Media Video 1: Wael Ghonim of Google http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqHPRHOHcN 8&feature=relmfu
  • 25. If social media empowers individuals to communicate Spread information Organize Lower barriers to political participation It can undermine authority
  • 26. International Examples: uprisings Iranian Uprising 2009 Egypt Revolution of 2011
  • 27. Domestic examples: Protest Occupy Wall Street Movement
  • 29. Smart Mobs 2002 Book by Howard Rheingold
  • 30. What the Smart Mob? Use of interactive internet and mobile technologies to coordinate collective action Enables constant communication & coordination of dispersed persons
  • 31. Media production & distribution in the palm of your hand Dramatically increased access to information. Undermined authoritarian control over communication. Empowered citizens. Gave people a voice – many for the first time.
  • 32. s Photos credit creative commons: bottom left: iCrossing | rest: Interact Egypt - Play Innovation
  • 33. Discussion What do you think? Is social media a catalyst for change? overhyped? Would change occur without it?
  • 35. Brief Activity Series of “Yes/No” Questions on on next 2 sets of slides. On scrap paper, answer questions #1 On other side of paper, answer questions #2 We’ll discuss.
  • 36. Questions #1 I have: Signed an online petition Liked a Facebook page for a cause Example: Stop Offshore Drilling, Protect Gun Rights, etc. Retweeted or otherwise relayed information about a cause you care about via social media Wrote a blog post / created art or video
  • 37. Questions #2 Yes/No: I have: Volunteered for a cause. Donated money to a cause. Protested or gone to a rally. Otherwise worked on behalf of a political candidate, party, or for a cause.
  • 38. Slacker! Slacktivism – Create a sense of accomplishment for individual But have little impact on political decisions May distract citizens from other, more effective, forms of engagement.
  • 39. Online v. Offline Participation Some say: That online participation (liking a Facebook page) does not increase offline participation (actually voting) Others argue: Online participation increases awareness and raises interest, motivating offline participation
  • 40. Example Colby “likes” an anti-offshore drilling page on Facebook As a result, she feels she has supported the cause She doesn’t bother to get involved at a deeper level Ex: Educating others Raising money Volunteering
  • 41. Discussion Are online activists “unwilling to get their hands dirty and do the efforts required to actually achieve these goals”? Does online activism replace or increase offline activism?

Editor's Notes

  1. Positives – Tech has allowed a # of great positives Access information Empower peopleNegavites – just as new media can empower, they can also do damageMisinformation – people who purposefully give incorrect informationSmear/fear
  2. These technologies also empower groups who seek to bring about changeThink of Thomas Payne’s common sense – an inspiration to Americans in the revolution
  3. We could not have taken those photos, spread that message,
  4. Writing:Almost a decade prior to Tahrir Square, Occupy Wall St.Howard Rheingold – “Smart Mobs”An example:http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/san-francisco-a.htmlAny thoughts on the reading about G-20 protest?Iranian election protest. June 15, 2009
  5. Why the slackivism in our country, and the activism elsewhere?