Cyberactivism and Political Empowerment in Civil Society: A Comparative Analysis of Korean Cases

In the major elections of the 2000s, some civic groups of Korea experimented with cyberactivism, a new form of social movement. In the case of Korea, the elections of the 2000s were held amid a new structure characterized by the democratization and informatization that facilitated the big bang of civil society. The structure of political opportunities can function as a precondition or momentum that vitalizes social movements. A remarkable form of social movement that has emerged in the new structure of political opportunities is cyberactivism. Strategies of the civic groups that are based on the effective use of cyberspace are generat-ing great waves of transformation in the organization, goals, and effects of social movements. In particular, the cases analyzed in this study show that the political effects of cyberactivism greatly increase in electoral moments. Furthermore, the implications of cyberactivism will greatly affect our understanding of participatory democracy. It is from this perspective that the present study will carry out a comparative analysis of the characteristics of cyberactivism using the cases of CAGE (Citizens’ Alliance for the 2000 General Election) and Nosamo.

keywords: CAGE, cyberactivism, cyberspace, Nosamo, structure ofpolitical opportunitiesChang Woo-Young (Jang, U-yeong) is Senior Researcher of Institute of Social Scienceat the Sogang University. His published work has currently included The Internet, Alternati, CAGE, cyberactivism, cyberspace, Nosamo, structure ofpolitical opportunitiesChang Woo-Young (Jang, U-yeong) is Senior Researcher of Institute of Social Scienceat the Sogang University. His published work has currently included The Internet, Alternati

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Article Contents

Vol.46 No.4

Cyberactivism and Political Empowerment in Civil Society: A Comparative Analysis of Korean Cases

Abstract

Reference

Korea Journal