Book
Fandom and Polarization in Online Political Discussion: From Pop Culture to Politics
Palgrave Macmillan
2022
Abstract
This book takes an innovative fan studies approach to investigating 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 those heavily engaged in online political debate, Barnes argues 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 privileges the rational and deliberative, and instead focus on how we perform the self. How we behave in these online debates is part of a performance, a performance of 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.
Details
- Title
- Fandom and Polarization in Online Political Discussion: From Pop Culture to Politics
- Authors
- Renee Barnes (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
- Publication details
- 164 pages
- Publisher
- Palgrave Macmillan
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-3-031-14039-6
- ISBN
- 9783031140389; 9783031140396
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Business and Creative Industries
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99681498802621
- Output Type
- Book
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