Collective Action “Going Digital”: Overcoming Institutional and Micro-Structural Constraints through Technology Use

Traditionally, macro-level and micro-level approaches have been used in silos to explain and determine the threshold where one crosses from non-participation to participation in social movements. Technological advancements have enriched but also complicated the process of collective action. This qua...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Carol Soon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Danube-University Krems 2013-12-01
Series:JeDEM - eJournal of eDemocracy & Open Government
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jedem.org/index.php/jedem/article/view/220
Description
Summary:Traditionally, macro-level and micro-level approaches have been used in silos to explain and determine the threshold where one crosses from non-participation to participation in social movements. Technological advancements have enriched but also complicated the process of collective action. This qualitative study is based on the premise that a confluence between political economy approaches, micro-structural analysis and Internet studies is needed to dissect the dynamics behind technology use in collective action. Through in-depth interviews with 26 activist bloggers in Singapore, this study sheds light on how Internet technologies are used by activists to overcome issues of collective incentives, structural proximity and structural availability, and negotiate the institutional terrain.
ISSN:2075-9517