Ecoconflicts in Russia and Digital Networks Participation

 
PIIS013216250005483-4-1
DOI10.31857/S013216250005483-4
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Occupation: Research Fellow, Sociological Institute of FCTAS RAS
Affiliation: Sociological Institute of FCTAS RAS
Address: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Journal nameSotsiologicheskie issledovaniya
EditionIssue 6
Pages74-85
Abstract

One can observe a growing role of social media, among other things in course of protest actions. That is why researchers begin to speak about emergence of a new type of political participation – that is digital network participation. My study deals with political activists’ employment of VKontakte social network, which is the largest social network in Russia, in the course of environmental conflicts. I have analyzed ‘digital network participation’ (i.e. dissemination of information about a conflict, distribution of information in social networks, and participation in discussions) of these virtual groups members. The analysis showed an active usage of social media in the course of environmental conflicts in contemporary Russia. Activists use virtual groups created during the conflicts for dissemination of information and mobilization of social networks’ users. A utilization of virtual groups by activists for mobilization of social networks’ users both for online participation (signing online petitions and distribution of information) and for traditional participation (meetings and public hearings) is the focus of the study. At the same time the members of virtual groups demonstrate only mild ‘digital network participation’. To a greater extent the group members participate in dissemination of information placed in the group, that is the less costintensive form of digital network participation. Absolute majority of members of the groups created in the course of local environmental conflicts restricted their activities mainly to joining in virtual groups in social media. The analysis also elucidated that the majority of the group members did not intend to participate in the traditional forms of political activity.

Keywordsenvironmental conflict; social media; digitally networked participation
AcknowledgmentBudgetary financing for the planned theme (AAAA-A17-117030110144-3, No. 0169-2015-0005).
Received26.06.2019
Publication date26.06.2019
Number of characters19028
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