Power and Networked Social Movements

SoMe Lab@karineb

@somelabresearch

Power and Networked Social Movements

Karine Nahon and Manuel Castells

SoMe Lab@karineb

@somelabresearch

SoMe Lab@karineb

@somelabresearch

SoMe Lab @karineb@somelabresearch

The goal – dynamics of powerThe method – eclecticThe contribution –a framework of analysis to examine the process of political representation through the lenses of information control and power relationships

Lit: Castells, 2009, 2012; Nahon, 2009, 2009, 20011; Mason, 2012; Juris, 2008; Lievrouw, 2011; Earl, 2011,2012;

Networks of Power and Social Structure


Code Power - Rules• Rules of representations• Rules of participation



Dynamics – network gatekeeping power

• Inclusion/Exclusion– Who is a citizen?– Who is entitled to certain rights?– Prioritize groups that promote the gatekeeper’s interest– Exclusion of groups that risk network-making power– Legislation to bound the power of the judicial system

• Switching-making power


Counter Power- Background• Israel – housing crisis, unbearable

cost of living• Spain - Financial crisis, high rates of

unemployment, housing crisis for the youth and threat to Internet freedom.


Counter Power - The Message• We don’t have a democracy because

government is captured by financial interests and personal interests of politicians.

• There is a disconnect between network-making power (setting the goals of the democratic network) and the code power (how these goals are achieved, rules of representation).

• It is not about the crisis, but about the management of the crisis.


Counter Power - Goals• Both - change political system,

reprogram political representation and participation

• Israel – achieve “social justice”,• Spain – those responsible for the

crisis should pay for it, keep the welfare state, control corruption, replace current corporate media


Demands, Slogans and Leadership

• No specific demands. Every possible demand.

We Are the GovernmentThe People Demand

Social Justice

Real Democracy Now

It is not the Crisis, it is the System








The formal channels of the protesters and the Trachtenberg committee (Gov.)

Discussions about the tents movement and the Trachtenberg committee



Outcomes – Consciousness-making

• Both - A change of mind of how people think about elementary components of representation and participation (88% in Israel and 75% in Spain in support of the movement)

• Spain - consciousness of being a global node



Outcomes – Organization-making

• Leaderless• Decision making by assembly• Constant networking in the internet

(new forms of organization and participation)

• Rhizomatic logic


Outcomes-Institutions Making

• Spain – none• Israel – five areas – housing, tax,

social services, cost of living, fiscal policy, and macro economy environment


Conclusions• Relationship between characteristics

of the movement and impact on society

• The network capacity of the movement

• Gatekeepers and Movements


ThanksKarine Nahon and Manuel Castells

[email protected]@usc.edu

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Power and Networked Social Movements