Chapter 3

Tehran, Tunis, Tahrir

Social Media and the Formation of Collective Action

Abstract

The events of the Arab Spring often serve as an example when addressing the role of social media in collective action. In fact, these events played a key role in the construction of the discourse regarding relation between the two. Using examples from the events of the Arab Spring, this chapter critically examines the role of social media in the formation of collective action by deploying several theories of social movements, collective behavior, and collective action and situating social media (as information and communication technology tools, institutions, and media) within these theories.

Keywords

Arab awakening; Arab Spring; Rational choice theory; Shared ...

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