Hegemony in the digital age : the Arab/Israeli conflict online / Stephen M.E. Marmura.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Marmura, Stephen M. E., 1965-

Contributor:

Benjamin Franklin Library Fund.

Series:

Critical media studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Arab-Israeli conflict--Mass media and the conflict.

Arab-Israeli conflict.

World Wide Web--Political aspects.

World Wide Web.

Middle East--Foreign relations--United States.

Middle East.

International relations.

United States.

United States--Foreign relations--Middle East.

Physical Description:

x, 173 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham, MD : Lexington Books, [2008]

Summary:

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 state-aligned lobbies, broadly based social movements, and marginalized "extremist" groups, each of which hopes to affect the course of U.S. Middle East policy.

While Marmura explores various dimensions of Internet use and activism, he 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 among racist, religious fundamentalist, and ultra-nationalist organizations, he argues the Internet's greatest advantages ultimately accrue by those most vested in the political status quo. Marmura argues further that widespread use of the Internet is likely contributing to the processes of social fragmentation, even as it reinforces ideological discourses favorable to state power.

Contents:

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

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"

The struggle for influence

Social movement integration and growth

Building alliances : virtual and real

Discussion

Hegemony reconsidered : the Internet, civil society, and social fragmentation.

Notes:

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

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Benjamin Franklin Library Fund.

ISBN:

9780739117729

0739117726

OCLC:

182662739