Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution: Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory
International Journal of Communication 5 (2011), Feature 1207–1224
1932–8036/2011FEA1207
Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution: Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory
NAHED ELTANTAWY JULIE B. WIEST
High Point University
This article seeks to open dialogue about the utility of resource mobilization theory in explaining social movements and their impact by exploring the use of social media in the 2011 Egyptian revolution through a limited case study analysis. It argues that social media played an instrumental role in the success of the anti-government protests that led to the resignation of the country’s dictatorial leader, and calls for further examination of the proposed incorporation of social media as an important resource for collective action and the organization of contemporary social movements.
New communication technologies—especially social media via the Internet— have become important resources for the mobilization of collective action and the subsequent creation, organization, and implementation of social movements around the world. The development of social media created opportunities for Web-fueled social movements, or cyberactivism, to change the landscape of collective action. Cyberactivism is a growing field of scholarly inquiry, though it is not yet well understood, and it is largely lacking a clear, cohesive direction. Langman (2005) argues that computer-savvy activists use the Internet to initiate and organize a broad spectrum of dissention activities, including consumer boycotts and public protests and demonstrations. Numerous scholars, in fact, have pointed to new communication technologies— particularly social media like short messaging services (SMS), social-networking sites, and blogs—as being, collectively, an important new resource for the successful organization and implementation of social movements (e.g., Della Porta & Mosca, 2005; Langman, 2005; O’Lear, 1999; Wasserman, 2007). Social media technologies have been used
1932–8036/2011FEA1207
Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution: Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory
NAHED ELTANTAWY JULIE B. WIEST
High Point University
This article seeks to open dialogue about the utility of resource mobilization theory in explaining social movements and their impact by exploring the use of social media in the 2011 Egyptian revolution through a limited case study analysis. It argues that social media played an instrumental role in the success of the anti-government protests that led to the resignation of the country’s dictatorial leader, and calls for further examination of the proposed incorporation of social media as an important resource for collective action and the organization of contemporary social movements.
New communication technologies—especially social media via the Internet— have become important resources for the mobilization of collective action and the subsequent creation, organization, and implementation of social movements around the world. The development of social media created opportunities for Web-fueled social movements, or cyberactivism, to change the landscape of collective action. Cyberactivism is a growing field of scholarly inquiry, though it is not yet well understood, and it is largely lacking a clear, cohesive direction. Langman (2005) argues that computer-savvy activists use the Internet to initiate and organize a broad spectrum of dissention activities, including consumer boycotts and public protests and demonstrations. Numerous scholars, in fact, have pointed to new communication technologies— particularly social media like short messaging services (SMS), social-networking sites, and blogs—as being, collectively, an important new resource for the successful organization and implementation of social movements (e.g., Della Porta & Mosca, 2005; Langman, 2005; O’Lear, 1999; Wasserman, 2007). Social media technologies have been used
References: International Journal of Communication 5 (2011) Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1221 1222 Nahed Eltantawy & Julie B. Wiest International Journal of Communication 5 (2011) International Journal of Communication 5 (2011) Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1223 1224 Nahed Eltantawy & Julie B. Wiest International Journal of Communication 5 (2011)