The Political Power Of Social Media - 1171 Words

From hieroglyphics to the printing press, the concept of communication has been an integral part of society in order to express and spread ideas. However, through technological advancements and the prevalence of social media, communication has become faster and easier than before, allowing for greater involvement in activities globally. This has allowed for social media to become a method of political action because of its accessibility and speed. With the advancing processes of social media as a political force, there have been arguments on the effectiveness and different ways to take advantage of it. Clay Shirky, in â€Å"The Political Power of Social Media: Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change,† has addressed the various ways in which countries, especially the United States, has attempted to utilize social media to incite freedom of speech and build a broader public sphere. He listed the instrumental approach, where anti-censorship and â€Å"western† websites are encouraged, and the environmental, where local conversations among the residents of the country are encouraged. Shirky argues that inciting local conversations within people is far more effective in the long run in order to make true change and create a public sphere. However, there have been criticism against the use of social media as a way of creating political activism, especially from Malcom Gladwell in his article â€Å"Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted.† Gladwell argues that socialShow MoreRelatedThe Political Power Of Social Media923 Words   |  4 Pagestotal of 1.49 billion and 304 million active users respectively. This rapid rise and popularity of social media has allowed for the dispersion of ideas quickly and effectively on a global scale; in such a way that is unparalleled to any time in history. Therefore, the rise of social media has created a new, immensely powerful form of Civil Society Two. A form that has the ability to c reate political unrest and outright revolution in the modern states. In reference to the modern state, authoritarianRead MoreThe Political Power of Social Media2727 Words   |  11 Pagesword for politics which is running governmental or state affairs, but also applies to organizations. Politics are social relations between people for Aristotle, politics is not only governing, but the science behind it, the motivations, and the manner in which two or more individuals not only converse, but interact (Miller). If we think logically, then we can understand how a political effort rulers and followers, would engender others to try to influence outcomes that would be most beneficial: theRead MoreNetworks Of Outrage And Hope : Social Movements922 Words   |  4 Pagesbook, Networks of Outrage and Hope: Social Movements in the Internet Age, Manuel Castells, a Spanish professor of sociology and communication, focuses on current social movements and protests in the world recently. Examples of such movements are the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, and Spain. These revolutions demonstrate the role of social networks and the Internet which broadcast the details of these social movements. Each movement has social, cultural, and political aspects, which are what CastellsRead MorePower of Media in Modern World Essay examples1032 Words   |  5 PagesMedia is the most powerful sector of an economy. 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Before, our choice was limited to holding demonstrations, going out to the streets, and protesting in order for our voices to be heard. Consequently, weRead More‘An Act is Political when performed by a Politician.’ Essay1447 Words   |  6 PagesWhen is an act classed as political? Does the act have to be performed by politicians or can an act be deemed political when it is between ordinary people down the local pub? Are political acts purely in the hands of politicians? This article aims to discuss where politics occurs; looking at various influences that theories have put forward and how the information age has undermined the title statement. Jef Huysmans, in ‘What is Politics,’ (2005: 43) states that the most likely place for politicsRead MoreThe Political Economy And Cultural Studies Theories1429 Words   |  6 PagesMass media plays an important role in the society by providing entertainment, information and acting as the government’s overseer. Several scholars have developed philosophies that help people understand how mass media fulfills its roles in the society. For example, Horkheimer and Adorno have constructed theories that explain the functions and impacts of mass media in the society across the globe (Mosco, 2008). The central theme in all mass communication models entails the meaning of media contentsRead MoreThe Effect Of Mass Media On The Politics Of The United States896 Words   |  4 Pages Influence of Mass Media on the Politics of the United States Mass media can be a powerful tool, but it can also be a hindrance to the public if the facts are not checked. From the invention of the printing press, radio, television, and the internet mass media has revolutionized the way the public gathers information each and every day. Many of the sources we use for gaining knowledge and facts on current events today are controlled by a very small group. This small group controls many of the ideologiesRead MoreThe Media s Influence On Politics1134 Words   |  5 Pagesimpact that the media has politics due to the factors that can influence society, as well as the individuals. Do you believe that social media plays a major role in politics and at times can be unfair by only showing one perspective? I personally believe that the social media, greatly effects politics and can be shown to be very one-sided on many occasions. Social media has been around long before it became used for political battleground. According, to the article Social Media, Political Change, andRead MoreThe Theory Of The Political Economy872 Words   |  4 PagesThe theory of the political economy in the context on media studies, is that behind every media product, has a commercial and economic imperative and as such, has particular impacts on the media content that would not exist if such imperatives ceased to exist. It is these impacts that both limit media products, and allow media products of a particular nature exist. A political economic approach in the production of media is in contrary to the nature of media itself; accuracy, integrity and authenticity