EXIT FROM THE MYOPIC IMPASSE: SOCIAL MOVEMENT STRATEGY IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET

Our study traces and critically evaluates some of the major epistemological assumptions found in recent literature on the Global Justice Movement (GJM). Specifically, it problematizes the largely acritical discourse regarding the emancipatory potential of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) vis-à-vis the GJM. Given that the speed with which worldwide movement mobilization now can take place is historically unprecedented due to the capabilities of new ICTs, the key question asked by our study is this: in what ways do contemporary predominant media, especially the Internet, affect the nature and durability of progressive activists' resistance to globalization? Using an approach to communication studies known as medium theory, our study demonstrates that the use of Internet perpetuates certain, largely hidden temporal norms that are generally detrimental to the ability of contemporary activists to think historically, creatively and reflexively. This argument is then assessed through an empirical example of Peoples' Global Action, a transnational activist network.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Media Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Pietrzyk, Kamila Joanna

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Comor, Edward

• media
• Internet
• global justice movement
• capitalism
• Harold Innis
• medium theory
• time and space
• Peoples' Global Action

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/20447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/20447