The legitimisation of clicktivism. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Halupka, Max
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of political science. Volume 53:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Political participation -- clicktivism -- online engagement -- slacktivism -- e-activism -- online activism -- legitimacy; Australasia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1080/10361146.2017.1416586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1036-1146

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Is clicking 'Like' on Facebook a legitimate form of political participation? Is changing your profile picture or sharing an online article politically meaningful? It is undeniable that such actions can be politically-themed, but whether they amount to what we term 'political participation' remains contentious. This article explores the legitimacy of clicktivism as a political act, arguing that legitimacy be understood as multifaceted. To this end, the paper develops a series of lenses by which to explore the theoretical boundaries of these emerging actions. These are: the adherence of the action to tradition avenues; the acceptance of the action, and belief in that action; and, the intentionality of the action, and the context in which it is situated.