'We need to get together and make ourselves heard': everyday online spaces as incubators of political action. Issue 10 (2nd October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Graham, Todd; Jackson, Daniel; Wright, Scott
• Is Part Of: Information, communication & society. Volume 19:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1373
• Page End: 1389
• Publication Date: 2016-10-02
• Subjects: Civic engagement -- online communities -- online deliberation -- political mobilization -- political participation -- political talk; Information technology -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; Internet -- Periodicals; World Wide Web -- Periodicals; 303.4833
• DOI: 10.1080/1369118X.2015.1094113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-118X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article examines to what extent, and how, people engaging in political talk within 'non-political' discussion forums – online lifestyle communities – leads to political (or personal) action or calls-to-action. The analysis is framed in the context of wider questions of citizenship, civic engagement and political mobilization. To capture everyday political talk amongst citizens requires us to move beyond the now widely analysed online spaces of formal politics. Instead, we focus on online third spaces concerning lifestyle issues such as parenting, personal finance and popular culture. Drawing on a content analysis of three popular UK-based discussion forums over the course of five years (2010–2014), we found that (for two of the three cases) such spaces were more than just talking shops. Rather they were spaces where political actions not only emerged, but where they seemed to be cultivated. Discussions embedded in the personal lives of participants often developed – through talk – into political actions aimed at government (or other) authorities. The article sheds light on the contributing factors and processes that (potentially) trigger and foster action emerging from political talk and provides insight into the mobilization potential of third spaces.