Internet technology has arguably changed the rules by which individuals, social movements, and institutions compete for political and cultural influence in technologically advanced societies. The author considers this reality through reference to the concept of hegemony; looking to the ways in which diverse actors in American civil society compete with one another while simultaneously challenging dominant sources of authority. The Arab/Israeli conflict is drawn upon as a boundary object holding direct interest to a wide range of state-aligned lobbies, broadly-based social movements, and marginalized 'extremist' groups, each of which hopes to affect the course of U.S. Mid-East policy. While various dimensions of internet use and activism are explored, Stephen Marmura directs particular attention to the importance and limitations of the World Wide Web as a mass medium. Examining phenomena ranging from mainstream news dissemination to the propaganda warfare visible online amongst racist, religious fundamentalist, and ultra-nationalist organizations, he argues the Net's greatest advantages are ultimately accrued by those most vested in the political status quo. Marmura argues further that widespread use of the Web is likely contributing to processes of social fragmentation, even as it reinforces ideological discourses favorable to state power.

Hegemony in the digital age : the Arab Israeli conflict online

Stephen M. E. Marmura

Lanham, MD: Lexington Books

United States, United States of America

1, 2008

Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-168) and index.

x, 173 p. ; 24 cm
Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-168) and index
Acknowledgements -- Introduction : identity and authority in the age of networks -- Aims and scope -- Key terms and concepts -- Political mobilization -- The Web as a mass medium -- War on the Web -- Ideology and civil society -- Net-based activism and American Mid-East policy -- Grassroots mobilization and political opportunity -- Activism and the Net : relevant precedents -- Contemporary peace camp activism -- Net-based activism and American Mid-East policy -- Public opinion -- Backdrop : the mainstream media as a legitimating identity -- The Web as an alternative mass medium -- The voice of legitimacy : CNN.com and the Arab/Israeli conflict -- Introduction -- CNN.com's "land of conflict" -- Dominant themes and validity claims -- Anchoring authority in a de-centered medium -- Closing remarks -- Hate and holy war on the WWW -- Confronting the other -- Stormfront.org : promoting the cause of "White nationalism" -- Kahane.org : fighting to eliminate Israel's "Arab cancer" -- Radioislam.org : defending Islam and the West from the "Jewish threat" -- Closing remarks -- Hate and holy war on the WWW -- The struggle for influence -- Social movement integration and growth -- Building alliances : virtual and real -- Discussion -- Hegemony reconsidered : the Internet, civil society, and social fragmentation

Acknowledgements -- Introduction : identity and authority in the age of networks -- Aims and scope -- Key terms and concepts -- Political mobilization -- The web as a mass medium -- War on the web -- Ideology and civil society -- Net based activism and American Mid-East policy -- Grassroots mobilization and political opportunity -- Activism and the net : relevant precedents -- Contemporary peace camp activism -- Net-based activism and American Mid-East policy -- Public opinion -- Backdrop : the mainstream media as a legitimating identity -- The web as an alternative mass medium -- The voice of legitimacy : CNN.com and the Arab/Israeli conflict -- Introduction -- CNN.com's, "land of conflict"--Dominant themes and validity claims -- Anchoring authority in a de-centered medium -- Hate and holy war on the www -- Confronting the other -- Stormfront.org : promoting the cause of "white nationalism"--Kahane.org : fighting to eliminate Israel's "Arab cancer"--Radioislam.org : defending Islam and the West from the "Jewish threat" -- Hate and holy war on the www -- The struggle for influence -- Social movement integration and growth -- Building alliances : virtual and real -- hegemony reconsidered : the internet, civil society and social fragmentation

"Internet technology has arguably changed the rules by which individuals, social movements, and institutions compete for political and cultural influence in technologically advanced societies. Stephen M.E. Marmura considers this reality through reference to the concept of hegemony, looking at the ways in which diverse actors in American civil society - and beyond compete with one another while simultaneously challenging dominant sources of authority. The Arab/Israeli conflict is drawn upon as a boundary object holding direct interest to a wide range of slate aligned lobbies, broadly based social movements, and marginalized "extremist" groups, each of which hopes to a fleet the course of U.S. Middle East policy."--Jacket

This book examines the relative benefits which the internet provides to a range of weak and powerful actors in American society. The Arab/Israeli conflict is utilized as a topic holding common interest to all of those considered. Evidence suggests that the Web's exploitation by countless competing interests is contributing to the consolidation of dominant discourses and policies surrounding American Mid-East policy, while exacerbating processes of social fragmentation in civil society.

2024-07-01