The Taliban extremists in Afghanistan Richer and more powerful Since the Islamic fundamentalist system was overthrown by the US military in 2001.
Taliban leave the United States in fiscal year ending March 2020
The word “socialism” triggered American politics. Positive and negative perceptions of it Divided along the party line.
But what does socialism really mean to Americans? Surveys can ask individuals to answer questions, but what do people say when they’re talking to each other? I will not reveal if it is.
As a social media scholar, I study “wild” conversations to find out what people are actually saying to each other. The method I developed is Netnography And treat online posts not as quantifiable data, but as discourse with continuous dialogue between real people.
As part of Ongoing research on technology and utopia, I read over 14,000 social media comments posted on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube in 2018 and 2019.
What I found was shocking and encouraging.
Loyalty and fear
Both support for socialism and attacks on it appear to be increasing.
Socialism is possible Different people have different meaningsSome see it as a system that institutionalizes fairness and citizenship and provides a higher level of social solidarity. Others are focusing on hard-line government control of the free market, which works more effectively if left unchecked. Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, emphasized the right to quality medical care, education, good jobs with high living wages, affordable housing and a clean environment. In a speech in 2019..
Ah 2019 Gallup Voting We found that 39% of Americans had a positive opinion on socialism. 20% in 201057% have a negative view.
Selected celebrities “Democratic socialist6 people involved Chicago City Council Member, With U.S. Congressman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Sanders..
These and other supporters Point to A form of socialism called the “Nordic model” found in countries such as Denmark. Quality social services While fostering a strong economy, health care and education.
Critics call socialism anti-American and accuse it of weakening free businesses and leading to disasters. Unrealistic extreme example of Venezuela..
President Trump has portrayed socialists as radical, lazy, and communists who hate America.Posted by his son, Donald Trump Jr. Tweets that rid laugh at socialism..
During the 2020 election season, Republican Senator majority leader Mitch McConnell said his party was Firewall against socialismHe was on target: the fear of socialism Reason Why Republicans won seats in the US House of Representatives in 2020.
“Tug of war of words”
At first I wasn’t looking for posts on socialism or capitalism, but when I searched online I found a lot of posts. Many were called “tug of war” where people insisted on which system was better. People on the other side of the political spectrum made ironic observations, posted lines, and used powerful and emotional language. There was little conversation – the people who posted were yelling at each other as if they were using something. megaphone..
I also found a bunch of short, non-conversational, megaphone-like posts on visual social media such as Instagram and Pinterest.
But some people were more cautious. They were often responsive and one-sided, but questioned. For example, people questioned whether corporate bailouts, subsidies, lobbying, or special tax systems indicate that the “free market” of capitalism is not really that free.
And some pondered what “socialism” really meant to people and linked that meaning to race, nationality, and class.
Overcome the primitive “ism”
There was also the calm voice of those participating in the deeper debate as people screamed and made noise from the virtual soap box. These people discussed socialism, capitalism, the free market, medical care, childcare, minimum wages, and other life-threatening issues.
In a YouTube discussion, we see everything “through a primitive lens of meaningless’ism’such as capitalism, socialism, and communism, which has nothing to do with a sustainable, socially fair and peaceful world.” The idea that we should stop was discussed.
Other arguments have united both the left and the right by arguing that the real problem is system corruption rather than the system itself. Some have used social media to try to overcome the blind spots of partisan political ideology. For example, they argued that raising the minimum wage and improving education could be a wise management strategy to help the economy and working Americans at the same time.
New forum for discussion
As America’s division worsens, my work gives me a reason for hope. This shows that some Americans (still a minority, but you know) are deliberately using popular social media platforms to hold meaningful discussions. What I have provided here is just one example of the many thoughtful conversations I have encountered.
My analysis of social media does not deny that many people are angry and polarized over social systems. However, quite a few people are aware that labels such as socialism, free markets, and capitalism can be emotionally triggered and used by journalists and politicians for manipulation, incitement, and division. Became clear.
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To unite and move forward together, you may need a better understanding of the sites and forms of discussion that promote this kind of thoughtful discourse.When the partisan withdraws to the reverberation room platform Parlor and rumbleWill the intellectual conversations of people with such diverse perspectives disappear?
As Americans face the economic challenges of pandemics, automation, precarious employment, and globalization, providing a forum where they can discuss diverse ideas in an unbiased and unbiased way is the solution we choose. It can make a decisive difference in the strategy. Many Americans are already using digital platforms to discuss options. Rather than frightening or attacking the exhausted old socialist Boogeyman.
This article is reprinted from the following conversationIs a non-profit news site that aims to share ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Robert Coginets, University of Southern California, Annenberg for Communication and Journalism..
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Robert Kozinets does not work, consult, own shares, or receive funding for companies or organizations that may benefit from this article, and reveals relevant non-educational affiliations. Is not …