Chinese New Media Cultures in Transition: Weibo and the Carnivalesque

Chinese New Media Cultures in Transition: Weibo and the Carnivalesque is an important contribution to international scholarship on Chinese social media, developing a new model of Carnivalesque Participatory Discourse to understand Chinese netizens' participation in online discussions. The model is applied to case studies of three major social media events in China, illustrating the usefulness of the model and illuminating scholarly understanding of the features and social-political significance of Chinese online discourse.

Format: Hardback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 10 April 2019
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc

This book is a significant contribution to the field of international scholarship on Chinese social media and its transformative impact on empowering ordinary Chinese netizens to challenge and influence government and mainstream media policies and practices. By developing a novel model called Carnivalesque Participatory Discourse, the author integrates concepts from Bakhtin's notion of Carnivalesque discourse with insights from Chinese cultural contexts, such as Weiguan and Meizhi. This model provides a fresh framework for understanding how Chinese netizens engage in online discussions and contributes to a deeper scholarly understanding of the unique features and social-political significance of Chinese online discourse.

Through the application of this model to case studies of three significant social media events in China, the book showcases the practical usefulness of the framework and sheds light on the scholarly understanding of the characteristics and political implications of Chinese online discourse. The author argues that participating in online discourse and communities in China that are characterized by playfulness and humor can empower citizens by enabling them to challenge dominant narratives, hold institutions accountable, and advocate for social change.

The book's findings have important implications for both scholars and practitioners in the field of digital media and politics. It highlights the potential of new media technologies to facilitate citizen participation and promote democratic governance, while also raising concerns about the risks and challenges associated with such participation. The author's approach to understanding Chinese online discourse through the lens of Carnivalesque discourse offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of contemporary Chinese society and provides a framework for analyzing and interpreting other online communities and discussions across the globe.

In conclusion, Chinese New Media Cultures in Transition: Weibo and the Carnivalesque is a groundbreaking work that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Chinese social media and its role in empowering ordinary citizens. By integrating concepts from Bakhtin's Carnivalesque discourse with insights from Chinese cultural contexts, the author develops a novel model that provides a fresh perspective on how Chinese netizens engage in online discussions. Through the application of this model to case studies of significant social media events in China, the book demonstrates the practical usefulness of the framework and sheds light on the scholarly understanding of the features and political significance of Chinese online discourse. This book is a must-read for scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of digital media, politics, and society.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433152290
Edition number: New ed