Fandom and Polarization in Online Political Discussion: From Pop Culture to Politics

This book investigates polarization by examining how fans invest emotionally in political perspectives, leading to a need to contribute, refute, and "other" those opposing. It challenges the traditional Habermasian approach to political discussion and emphasizes the importance of understanding how we perform the self in online debates.

Format: Hardback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book takes an innovative approach to studying one of the most pressing issues of contemporary times: polarization. Drawing on three years of observational data from Facebook political discussions, as well as interviews and survey responses from individuals heavily engaged in online political debate, Barnes argues that a fan-like investment in a political perspective initiates and drives polarization. She calls on us to move beyond the traditional Habermasian approach to political discussion, which prioritizes rational and deliberative reasoning, and instead focus on how we perform the self.

How we behave in these online debates is part of a performance, a performance of the self, in which an affective investment in a particular political perspective drives a need to contribute, refute, and "other" those opposing. Because this performance stems from an emotional basis, judgments and contributions are often not rational or factual, but rather a form of establishing and defending an identity.

Barnes further suggests that this fan-like investment in a political perspective can lead to a sense of belonging and identity, as individuals align themselves with a particular political group or ideology and feel a strong connection to its values and beliefs. This sense of identity can be reinforced by social media platforms, which provide a space for individuals to express their political opinions and connect with others who share their views.

However, the polarization caused by this fan-like investment in a political perspective can also have negative consequences. It can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding for those with different political perspectives, as individuals become more entrenched in their own beliefs and less willing to listen to or consider alternative viewpoints. This can further divide society and hinder the progress of democratic discourse.

To address these challenges, Barnes proposes a shift towards a more nuanced and empathetic approach to political discussion. She suggests that we should focus on building relationships and understanding between individuals with different political perspectives, rather than trying to convince others to adopt our own. This can be achieved through open and honest dialogue, as well as through efforts to promote empathy and understanding through education and media literacy.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the study of polarization and provides a new perspective on how we can address this pressing issue. By focusing on the performative nature of political discourse and the emotional basis of fan-like investments in political perspectives, Barnes challenges us to move beyond the traditional approaches to political discussion and work towards a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Weight: 369g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031140389
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022