What is the Evolution of social media on global politics?
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The Evolution of Social Media on Global Politics
Rise of Social Media in Political Communication
Adoption by World Leaders
The adoption of social media by world leaders has been significant, with over 76% of them having an active presence on platforms like Twitter and Facebook by the end of 2014. This trend is driven by increased political pressure from social unrest and higher levels of democratization, which correlate with the adoption of social media platforms for political communication. Leaders use these platforms to communicate directly with both domestic and international audiences, bypassing traditional media channels.
Populism and Nationalism
Since the 2010s, the rise of populism and nationalism has been closely linked to the use of social media. These platforms serve as alternative communication sites to mainstream media, which is often perceived as being controlled by elite consensus politics. This shift has complicated the relationship between truth and free expression, contributing to the rise of 'post-truth' politics. Social media has thus become a crucial tool for populist leaders to mobilize support and disseminate their messages.
Social Media's Role in Political Movements
Information Conflict and Civil Disturbances
Social media has played a pivotal role in shaping national and global political landscapes, particularly evident during events like the Iranian elections in 2009 and the Arab Spring in 2011. These platforms have been instrumental in civil disturbances, strategic security, and military operations, indicating their potential role in future information-based conflicts. The ability to rapidly disseminate information and mobilize people has made social media a powerful tool in political activism.
Cyberactivism 2.0
The evolution of cyberactivism has seen a shift from using basic information technologies like email and websites to more integrated use of social media tools and applications. This trend, termed cyberactivism 2.0, has been crucial in recent social and political movements, enabling activists to promote their ideas and gain global support more effectively. The use of platforms like Twitter has become the technological basis for many movements, highlighting the transformative power of social media in political activism.
Influence on Political Agenda Setting
Hybrid Communicative Environment
The interaction between traditional media and social media platforms has created a hybrid communicative environment, profoundly transforming public debate and the organization of political communication. This hybrid environment has influenced the setting of public agendas and the construction of interpretive frames, leading to a reorientation of research agendas in political communication studies.
Agenda Interdependence
In the context of political agenda setting, social media has reduced the gatekeeping power of traditional media, increasing the capacity of various actors to shape the agenda. Studies have shown that the traditional media agenda, the social media agenda of parties, and the social media agenda of politicians influence one another, with no single agenda leading the others more than it is led by them. However, for specific issues like the environment, the social media agenda of parties can be more predictive of the traditional media agenda.
Automation and Manipulation
Political Bots
The use of social bots, or 'political bots,' has become a significant phenomenon in global politics. These automated actors are used by politicians, militaries, and government-contracted firms to manipulate public opinion and disrupt organizational communication. Political bots can massively boost politicians' follower levels on social media, generate false impressions of popularity, and flood news streams with spam during political crises, elections, and conflicts. This automation of political communication represents a new frontier in the digital manipulation of public opinion.
Conclusion
The evolution of social media has profoundly impacted global politics, from the adoption by world leaders and the rise of populism to the role in political movements and agenda setting. The hybrid communicative environment created by the interaction of traditional and social media has transformed public debate, while the use of political bots highlights the increasing automation and manipulation in political communication. As social media continues to evolve, its influence on global politics is likely to grow, presenting both opportunities and challenges for democratic processes and political activism.
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