Fandom Politics and Online Public Sphere - Civic Space Expansion or Destruction?
LEE Jinsun [Chairperson, Foundation WAGL]
Introduction
The digital communication revolution backed by the popularization of the internet and social media has significantly contributed to expanding the space for citizen participation and civic action. The E-democracy and teledemocracy theory, which was initially championed by internet optimists, has been criticized as an unrealistic fantasy that ignores the dynamics of capital and power, leading to its retreat from the discourse (Jinsun Lee, 2016). However, the citizen identity and voluntary civic actions formed through online networks have driven social change and followed a transformation of the overall power landscape. (Bennett, 2004; Bimber et al. 2005; Castells, M. (1996); Kahn & Kellner,2004)
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A profound reflection on and collective practice of republican values that have been largely neglected in the binary framework of democracy versus anti-democracy so far is necessary in order to overcome 1987 regime and achieve the “democratization of democracy.” In a situation where a distorted political fandom continues to stifle the online public sphere, civic space is shrinking and the majority outside the boundaries of fandom are marginalized as outsiders. Fandoms characterized by hatred and hostility are not only becoming anti-democratic and anti-republican in themselves but also undermining and distorting civic virtue. It is time to return to the initial spirit of Nohsamo recognizing the power of awakened citizens and restoring the health of political fandom as a civic public sphere dedicated to the public good.
Fandom Politics and Online Public Sphere
- Civic Space Expansion or Destruction?
LEE Jinsun [Chairperson, Foundation WAGL]
The digital communication revolution backed by the popularization of the internet and social media has significantly contributed to expanding the space for citizen participation and civic action. The E-democracy and teledemocracy theory, which was initially championed by internet optimists, has been criticized as an unrealistic fantasy that ignores the dynamics of capital and power, leading to its retreat from the discourse (Jinsun Lee, 2016). However, the citizen identity and voluntary civic actions formed through online networks have driven social change and followed a transformation of the overall power landscape. (Bennett, 2004; Bimber et al. 2005; Castells, M. (1996); Kahn & Kellner,2004)
.
.
.
A profound reflection on and collective practice of republican values that have been largely neglected in the binary framework of democracy versus anti-democracy so far is necessary in order to overcome 1987 regime and achieve the “democratization of democracy.” In a situation where a distorted political fandom continues to stifle the online public sphere, civic space is shrinking and the majority outside the boundaries of fandom are marginalized as outsiders. Fandoms characterized by hatred and hostility are not only becoming anti-democratic and anti-republican in themselves but also undermining and distorting civic virtue. It is time to return to the initial spirit of Nohsamo recognizing the power of awakened citizens and restoring the health of political fandom as a civic public sphere dedicated to the public good.