The coup that flopped: Facebook as a platform for emotional protest

Authors

  • Jaroslav Švelch Charles University in Prague
  • Václav Štětka Charles University in Prague

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v21i1.6333

Keywords:

protest movements, social movements, political participation, online political participation, emotion, social media

Abstract

This paper develops the idea that recent “networked” social movements are driven by emotions and provides an analysis of the role of emotions in movement mobilization. The case study focuses on the 2013 protests against a “coup” within the Czech Social Democratic Party. The protests had an immediate impact, resulting in a series of demonstrations, mainstream media attention and a successful overturning of the “coup”. The movement’s Facebook page served as an important catalyst for the protest. We argue that the movement’s success can be explained by its emphasis on perceived issues of morality. As people tend to gather on Facebook to express their feelings, social media become a primary conduit for emotional protest, which can be subsequently taken to the streets.

Author Biographies

Jaroslav Švelch, Charles University in Prague

Department of Media Studies, lecturer and researcher

Václav Štětka, Charles University in Prague

Department of Media Studies, senior researcher

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Published

2016-01-05

How to Cite

Švelch, J., & Štětka, V. (2016). The coup that flopped: Facebook as a platform for emotional protest. First Monday, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v21i1.6333