The Role of Social Media in Political Mobilization: A Systematic Review
Mahmud Hasan1*, Anuradha Paul1
Business & Social Sciences 3(1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/business.3110221
Submitted: 25 December 2024 Revised: 19 February 2025 Published: 22 February 2025
Abstract
Social media has become a dominant force in modern political mobilization, transforming the way individuals and groups engage in political activities. This systematic review explores the role of social media platforms in facilitating political mobilization, highlighting their impact on information dissemination, grassroots organizing, public opinion formation, and the challenges they pose, such as misinformation and government surveillance. The review draws on key case studies, including the Arab Spring, the movement, and the 2020 around the world protests, to analyze the ways in which social media has been instrumental in advancing political causes. It also examines the limitations of social media in political mobilization, including issues of slacktivism and the difficulty in converting online engagement into tangible political change. Additionally, the review explores the risks associated with the use of social media for political activism, such as digital surveillance, censorship, and the spread of misinformation. The review concludes by advocating for a more nuanced understanding of social media's role in political movements and suggests further research into the strategies needed to maximize its benefits while mitigating its risks. This review contributes to the growing body of literature on digital activism and highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of social media’s impact on contemporary political movements.
Keywords: Social Media, Political Mobilization, Activism, Misinformation, Digital Surveillance, Grassroots Organization.
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