Title: The influence of social media on mass demonstrations: an exploratory conceptual model

Authors: Carla D.M. Soares; Luiz Antonio Joia

Addresses: Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration – Getulio Vargas Foundation, Praia de Botafogo 190, Room 526, cep: 22253-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration – Getulio Vargas Foundation, Praia de Botafogo 190, Room 526, cep: 22253-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: Information and communication technology (ICT) affects all issues in the modern world, including mass demonstrations. The impact of these technologies on such movements has been felt worldwide in recent years, affecting both developed countries such as Spain and the USA, as well as developing countries such as Brazil, Egypt and Tunisia. The intensive use of the internet and especially social media has been a distinctive common denominator in the public demonstrations that have occurred in the most diverse scenarios over the past few years with respect to their organisation and communication. Therefore, based on a review of the extant literature on the topic, this paper seeks to propose an exploratory conceptual model about the influence of the use of social media on mass demonstrations, whereby possible scenarios in which these popular demonstrations tend to occur can be identified.

Keywords: mass demonstrations; internet; social media; electronic participation; e-participation; conceptual models; public demonstrations; demonstration organisation; communication; popular movements; literature review; social networking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2016.082677

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2016 Vol.8 No.4, pp.401 - 424

Received: 03 Jan 2016
Accepted: 02 Aug 2016

Published online: 05 Mar 2017 *

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