ANALYZING POLITICAL MICROBLOGGING: TWITTER INSIGHTS INTO PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES DURING KUWAIT'S FEBRUARY 2012 ELECTION
The pivotal role of social media in the Arab world has been the subject of intense debate, particularly in the wake of the uprisings that swept the region in 2011. It is widely argued that social media platforms played a crucial role in facilitating the emergence and growth of social movements, ultimately leading to significant political transformations. For instance, figures like Wael Ghonim have asserted that the January 2011 protests in Egypt were initiated on Facebook, underscoring the instrumental role of social media networks in the success of the uprising (Smith, 2011). However, contrasting perspectives, as articulated by Malcolm Gladwell (2011), contend that historical social revolutions in the pre-Internet era were not hindered by a lack of cutting-edge communication and organizational tools. While ongoing research efforts promise a more nuanced understanding of social media's role during the Arab Spring, it is imperative to broaden the scope of investigation to encompass Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This extension is warranted as the repercussions of the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya resonated across the GCC, affecting nations like Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. This paper calls for a comprehensive examination of the role of social media tools in shaping political dynamics and social movements within GCC countries, offering insights into the broader impact of these technologies on regional politics.
| Journal | Journal of Marketing and Digital Media |
| ISSN | 3065-0593 |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2024) |
| Pages | 64-79 |
| Published | 28 June 2024 |
| Access | Open Access |
| License | CC BY 4.0 — reuse with attribution |
| Publisher | Keith Publications |
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