The goal of this thesis is to contribute to the debate on the impact and influence of social media in the Arab Spring. While numerous studies have addressed individual factors, they generally lack a broad theoretical framework that puts the findings into a compiled perspective. Understanding the dynamics of the Arab uprisings implies a perspective that takes transnational processes into account and is not limited to a case by case assessment. Hence, this thesis will focus on the transnational effects of social media in the Arab Spring, by introducing a diffusion model, displaying the importance of sequence and timing of communication, organization and mobilization.
To begin with, (2) the current state of research focusing on protest politics and social media communication will be examined to understand the context of the broad scholarly debate. Secondly, (3) method and case selection will be briefly outlined. Subsequently, (4) the theoretical framework and relevance of the contagion thesis will be introduced. The cases of Tunisia and Egypt will be examined and assessed in (5), looking at the factors sparking the protests, the process and dynamics of the uprisings themselves, the role of social media, and the immediate political outcomes. Hereafter, (6) the contagion thesis will be tested by compiling the findings of previous studies and introducing the diffusion model, demonstrating the transnational effects of social media. Conclusively, (7) the findings will be summarized and put into perspective with the broad theoretical framework.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Current State of Research
2.1 Protest Politics
2.1.1 The Traditional Approach
2.1.2 Advancement of the Traditional Approach
2.1.3 Modern Approaches
2.1.4 Rational Choice Theory
2.1.5 Resource Mobilization Theory
2.1.6 The Political Culture Approach
2.2 The New Media
2.2.1 Understanding New Media
2.2.2 Social Media and Protest
3. Method and Case Selection
4. Theoretical Foundation
5. Case descriptions and assessment
5.1 Tunisia
5.2 Egypt
5.3 Reasons for Protest
5.4 The Role of Social Media
6. Transnational Effects of Social Media and the Contagion Thesis
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
The goal of this thesis is to contribute to the academic debate on the impact and influence of social media during the Arab Spring. By introducing a diffusion model, the author investigates how social media facilitates transnational processes of communication, organization, and mobilization, moving beyond localized case assessments to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework.
- The transnational impact of social media on political uprisings.
- Theoretical approaches to protest politics and social media communication.
- A comparative analysis of the Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt.
- The validity and application of the "contagion thesis" in a digital context.
- The cyclical relationship between traditional satellite media and digital social platforms.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.2 Social Media and Protest
In this part the means and methods of how social media can be utilized by the agents of societal change in public mobilization will be explored. This will allow to put the events and the role of social media before and in the Arab Spring into a better perspective.
The use of social media for public mobilization purposes is not an entirely new phenomenon. During the 1994 campaign of the Mexican Zapatista Army of National Liberation new media was first used to pursue joint political goals by communicating their goals, demands and motivations through a public network. Six years later in 2000, activists of the Serbian Optor! movement launched a website for recruitment and political communication to opt against head of state Slobodan Milošević. In Colombia, a movement against the actions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia emerged on Facebook, resulting in a march of over four million people in 27 cities. The creator of the Facebook group “A million voices against the FARC” stated that “thanks to Facebook, we have created an exponential effect” (Pérez 2008), although the group was initially intended as a virtual protest among his friends. The news about the Colombian protests traveled across international borders and even sparked protests in other cities around the world (Sabadello 2012, 11).
So what are the functions of social media in public mobilization and protest politics? Here, five levels of influence can be distinguished according to the United States Institute for Peace (Aday 2010, 9-12):
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the role of social media as a revolutionary tool in the Arab Spring and outlines the thesis's goal to bridge the gap between individual case studies and a broader theoretical framework.
2. Current State of Research: This chapter reviews traditional and modern theories of protest politics, shifting from irrational mob behavior models to rational choice and political culture approaches, before defining the role of new and social media.
3. Method and Case Selection: The author justifies the choice of Tunisia and Egypt as primary cases, citing their striking historical and socio-economic similarities as essential for analyzing transnational contagion effects.
4. Theoretical Foundation: This section explores the structural determinants of societal development, comparing technological, ideological, and institutional explanations while highlighting the role of modern globalized communication.
5. Case descriptions and assessment: This chapter details the specific events in Tunisia and Egypt, tracing the origins of protests from local grievances to mass uprisings and the subsequent toppling of authoritarian leaders.
6. Transnational Effects of Social Media and the Contagion Thesis: The author introduces a diffusion model to illustrate the cyclical and interdependent relationship between social media and traditional satellite news, demonstrating how protest strategies and morale crossed national borders.
7. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while social media transformed the political communication landscape, its effects must be assessed in context alongside traditional media and existing political opportunity structures.
Keywords
Arab Spring, Social Media, Protest Politics, Tunisia, Egypt, Contagion Thesis, Diffusion Model, Political Mobilization, Transnational Effects, Digital Natives, Collective Action, Resource Mobilization, Authoritarianism, Communication Technology, Revolutionary Spirit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The work examines the transnational effects of social media during the Arab Spring, specifically looking at how digital communication tools influenced the organization, motivation, and spread of protest movements across borders.
Which countries are the primary focus of the case study?
The research focuses on the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, utilizing them as comparative examples due to their similar political histories and socio-economic backgrounds.
What is the primary research goal?
The aim is to provide a broader theoretical framework for understanding how social media acts as a facilitator and accelerating force in revolutions, rather than just treating it as a cause in isolation.
What methodology is employed by the author?
The author uses a comparative analysis of empirical data and existing literature to build a "diffusion model" that explains the interdependent relationship between different media types and the contagion of protest movements.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers a literature review on protest theories, an examination of the "new media" landscape, detailed descriptions of the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, and an analysis of the transnational contagion effect via a diffusion model.
What are the main keywords characterizing this research?
Key terms include Arab Spring, Social Media, Protest Politics, Contagion Thesis, Diffusion Model, and Transnational Effects.
How does the author characterize the role of Al Jazeera in this context?
Al Jazeera is described as a critical unifying force that provided a shared narrative across the MENA region, working in a cyclical information loop with social media platforms to link disparate protests.
Does the author argue that social media caused the Arab Spring?
No, the author explicitly argues against a "Twitter Revolution" narrative, positioning social media instead as a powerful facilitator and accelerator that operates in conjunction with offline social networks and existing political grievances.
- Quote paper
- Björn Schubert (Author), 2014, The Transnational Effects of Social Media in the Arab Spring. The Cases of Egypt and Tunisia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/303843
