Far From Reach But Near at Hand: The Role of Social Media for Cross-National Mobilization in the Sunflower Social Movement in Taiwan

• In Event: Social Media and Politics

Abstract

This study investigates the role of social media in contributing to participatory democracy in a cross-national context. By examining the Sunflower social movement in Taiwan and targeting a particular subgroup—Taiwanese citizens abroad, this study examines what factors influence citizens abroad to engage in social media use for social movements, and how different activities on social media contribute to political participation. The findings show that individuals’ personal attitude (i.e., personal attitude importance), and civic attitude (i.e., civic identity) exert positive influence on political participation through opinion expression and activism on social media. Similarly, negative emotions towards government’s handling of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) also promote political participation through expressing opinion and joining movement-related groups on social media. The paths shed light on a cross-national mobilization of social media use.

Authors

• Hsuan-Ting Chen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Ping Sun, The Chinese U of Hong Kong

• Chen Gan, The Chinese U of Hong Kong

• Mengchieh Jacie Yang, Texas State U