Collective Action 2.0

Chapter 5

The Social Network

The Relevance of Weak and Strong Ties for Mobilization Over Social Media

Abstract

The interplay between social networks, weak and strong ties, and social media in the context of collective action is a subject of controversial academic debate, especially in light of the wave of protests and related discourse around 2011. Some scholars and activists tend to stress the importance of weak ties, which mobilization through social media seems to amplify, whereas others take a critical stance toward this notion and stress the importance of strong ties. The chapter addresses this issue, while differentiating the qualities, advantages, and disadvantages of both notions.

Keywords

Leaderless networks; Small worlds; Social media; Social ...