Addressing digital activism holistically from the perspective of contexts, practices, and effects, this collection of essays presents this new field with unprecedented global scope and a balanced perspective that seeks to find common ground between the optimists and pessimists.
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Advance Praise
This is excellent work and certainly a much needed contribution. I am glad that someone is writing a serious and an academically neutral piece on digital activism. —Helmi Noman, Researcher, OpenNet Initiative
I hope and expect that this book will inspire the next generation of activist researchers to test the boundaries of their knowledge in a digitally engaged practice that has fairness and justice as its ethical core.
—Dan McQuillan, Founder, internet.artizans and Social Innovation Camp
This book is useful for the average reader interested in the phenomenon of digital activism, as well as digital activists like myself….[T]his comprehensive guide to the growing phenomenon that is digital activism will allow us to closely examine our work, our methods and our goals.
—Esra’a Al Shafei, Director, Mideast Youth
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About the Book
Citizens around the world are using digital technologies to push for social and political change. Yet, while stories have been published, discussed, extolled, and derided, the underlying mechanics of digital activism are little understood. This new field, its dynamics, practices, misconceptions, and possible futures are presented together for the first time in Digital Activism Decoded.
Table of Contents
Preface….. by Mary Joyce
Introduction: How to Think About Digital Activism….. by Mary Joyce
Part 1: Contexts: The Digital Activism Environment
Infrastructure: Its Transformations and Effect on Digital Activism….. by Trebor Scholz
Applications: Picking the Right One in a Transient World….. by Dan Schultz and Andreas Jungherr
Devices: The Power of Mobile Phones….. by Brannon Cullum
Economic and Social Factors: The Digital (Activism) Divide….. by Katharine Brodock
Political Factors: Digital Activism in Closed and Open Societies….. by Tom Glaisyer
Part 2: Practices: Digital Actions in the Aggregate
Activism Transforms Digital: The Social Movement Perspective….. by Anastasia Kavada
Digital Transforms Activism: The Web Ecology Perspective….. by Tim Hwang
Destructive Activism: The Double-Edged Sword of Digital Tactics….. by Steven Murdoch
Part 3: Effects: What Is Digital Activism’s Value?
Measuring the Success of Digital Campaigns….. by Dave Karpf
The New Casualties: Prisons and Persecution….. by Simon Columbus
Digital Politics as Usual….. by Rasmus Kleis Nielsen
The Future of Advocacy in a Networked Age….. by Sem Devillart and Brian Waniewski
Conclusion: Building the Future of Digital Activism….. by Mary Joyce
Glossary….. by Talia Whyte and Mary Joyce
About the Authors
