The Internet Left: Ideology in the Age of Social Media

This book challenges the prevailing pessimistic narrative that the political Left is spent, ideological discourse has collapsed, and social media has corroded public debates about politics. It argues that ideological activism remains vibrant on the Left, but there is a need for a clear way to recognize and analyze this phenomenon. The book defines political social media and takes a morphological approach to investigate political ideologies, revealing how interconnected concepts are arranged. It concludes by coining the term 'proto-ideologies' to approach the construction of concepts that generate ideologies in the making.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

This book presents a compelling challenge to the prevailing pessimistic narrative that suggests the political Left is exhausted, the ideological discourse has collapsed, and social media has corroded public debates about politics. Instead, the book argues that ideological activism remains vibrant on the Left, although there is currently no clear way of recognizing and analyzing this phenomenon. To address this gap, the book takes a unique approach by first defining what political social media is and then employing a morphological approach to investigate political ideologies. Through this analysis, it reveals the intricate arrangements of interconnected concepts that shape political ideologies. In conclusion, the book proposes the term 'proto-ideologies' to describe the process of constructing concepts that generate ideologies in the making. This groundbreaking work offers valuable insights into the dynamic nature of political thought and provides a fresh perspective on the political landscape.

Defying the Current Pessimistic Narrative:
The book challenges the prevailing pessimistic narrative that suggests the political Left is exhausted, the ideological discourse has collapsed, and social media has corroded public debates about politics. Instead, it argues that ideological activism remains vibrant on the Left, although there is currently no clear way of recognizing and analyzing this phenomenon.
Ideological Activism on the Left:
The book posits that ideological activism remains a significant force on the Left, despite the perception that it has been diminished or overshadowed by other factors. It suggests that there are still individuals and groups who are committed to promoting and advancing specific political ideologies and values. However, the book argues that there is a need for a more comprehensive and systematic approach to understanding and analyzing this phenomenon.
Recognizing and Analyzing Ideological Activism:
The book identifies a gap in the current literature on political social media and ideological activism. It argues that while there has been significant research on social media and its impact on political discourse, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the ways in which political ideologies are constructed and communicated through social media platforms.
Morphological Approach:
To address this gap, the book adopts a morphological approach. It defines political social media as a subset of social media that is specifically focused on political discourse and ideology. The book then explores the ways in which political ideologies are constructed and communicated through social media platforms by examining the morphology of political social media content.
Interconnected Concepts:
Through its analysis, the book reveals the intricate arrangements of interconnected concepts that shape political ideologies. It identifies common themes, symbols, and narratives that are used to promote and defend specific political positions. The book also highlights the ways in which these concepts are arranged and manipulated to influence public opinion and shape political outcomes.
Coining the Term 'Proto-Ideologies':
In conclusion, the book proposes the term 'proto-ideologies' to describe the process of constructing concepts that generate ideologies in the making. It suggests that political social media plays a crucial role in this process by providing a platform for the dissemination and exploration of new ideas and perspectives. The book argues that by understanding the dynamics of proto-ideologies, we can better understand the formation and evolution of political ideologies and their impact on society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529232578