Literature Review – ‘How Social Media is Changing Conflict’ – Thomas Zeitzoff (2017) – (week 5 – Political Subversion and Propaganda)
Published in 2017, Associate Professor at American University Thomas Zeitzoff examines the weaknesses in methods of studying the dynamic subject of the internet, social media and their role in modern conflict and contentious politics. Zeitzoff identifies four interconnected points that form a framework for understanding the relationships between advances in communications technology and conflict[1]. He contends that the advances in communications technology and military technology are, more often than not, intertwined[2]. He concludes that the influence social media has on a conflict should not be expressed in terms of providing an advantage to any particular actor but instead needs to be examined in terms of the full strategic implications of the technology as used by all players[3].
In order to facilitate this more comprehensive analysis Zeitzoff introduces a four-pillar blueprint for studying communication technology advances and conflict paraphrased below[4];
Lowered Barriers of Communication: Social media can amplify insurgent messages for little cost.
Increased Speed of Communication: An instantaneous global reach and fast new cycle enable actors to shape their own narrative.
Strategic Dynamic and Adaption: Research should focus on how actors strategically used and adapted social media.
New Data and Information: Social media constantly creates new types of data and information providing new opportunities for researchers.
In introducing the four-pillar framework Zeitzoff builds on conclusions he drew in his previous study of the Iranian-Israeli confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program (2012-13)[5]. This article found that while social media data can be used to study questions of foreign policy there are significant limitations concerning context of messages, selection bias and analysis of network structure[6] and warns that researchers must be aware of the difficulties that make drawing direct conclusions from social media data difficult to support.
In support for Zeitzoff’s thesis Anita Gohdes examines aspects of the framework while reviewing studies that investigate how the development and permeation of modern communication technology affects conflicts[7]. Gohde’s article divides relevant research into three categories. The first category investigates the effect advances in communications technology has on the probability of political violence by reducing costs for collective organization. The second category looks at conflict dynamics and how they are changed by access to communications technology. The last category investigates how the internet is weaponised during armed conflict.[8]
Gohde’s conclusion echoes Zeitzoff’s contention that data from social media is highly circumstance dependant and needs to be analysed in context[9].
Zeitzoff has provided a good analysis and critique of research methods in the field of social media and conflict. The framework he recommends enables researchers to look beyond the simplistic examination of which actor was advantaged by social media use and truly study the subject in the depth it deserves.
[1] T, Zeitzoff, ‘How Social Media is Changing Conflict’ Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol. 61, no. 9, 2017, pp. 1970
[2] ibid, p. 1973
[3] ibid, p. 1984
[4] ibid, p. 1970
[5] T, Zeitzoff, ‘Using Social Media To Measure Foreign Policy Dynamics: An Empirical Analysis Of The Iranian-Israeli Confrontation’, (2012-13)’, Journal Of Peace Research, vol. 52, no. 3, 2015, pp. 368-383
[6] ibid, pp 380
[7] A.R, Gohdes, ‘Studying The Internet And Violent Conflict’, Conflict Management And Peace Science, vol. 35, no. 1, 2018, pp. 89-106
[8] ibid, pp. 90
[9] ibid, p. 99
Bibliography
Gohdes, A.R., ‘Studying The Internet And Violent Conflict’, Conflict Management And Peace Science, vol. 35, no. 1, 2018, pp. 89-106
Zeitzoff, T., ‘How Social Media is Changing Conflict’ Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol. 61, no. 9, 2017, pp. 1970-191
Zeitzoff, T., ‘Using Social Media To Measure Foreign Policy Dynamics: An Empirical Analysis Of The Iranian-Israeli Confrontation’, (2012-13)’, Journal Of Peace Research, vol. 52, no. 3, 2015, pp. 368-383