[ecrea] New book: Beyond Slacktivism

I am pleased to announce the publication of Beyond Slacktivism: 
Political Participation on Social Media (Palgrave Macmillan, part of the 
Interest Groups, Advocacy and Democracy Series).

*Cover Description*

Beyond Slacktivism examines how routine social media use shapes 
political participation. Many commentators have argued that activism has 
been compromised by “slacktivism,” a pejorative term that refers to 
supposedly inauthentic, low-threshold forms of engagement online. Dennis 
argues that this critique has an overly narrow focus. He offers a novel 
theoretical framework—the continuum of participation—to help illuminate 
how and why citizens use social networking sites to consume news, 
discuss civic matters, and engage in politics. This idea is explored in 
two interrelated settings. Firstly, in an activist context, through an 
ethnography of the campaigning organisation 38 Degrees. Secondly, within 
day-to-day life, by combining evidence of behaviour online with 
reflective diaries. Drawing on this rich data on individual-level 
attitudes and behaviours, Dennis challenges slacktivism as a judgement 
on contemporary political action. Beyond Slacktivism provides an account 
of how the seemingly mundane everyday use of social media can be 
beneficial to democracy.

*Endorsements*

“It’s better to light a candle than to fantasize about a sun” is the 
eloquent rallying cry of James Dennis’ conceptually rich and 
meticulously researched critique of the idea of slacktivism. By 
analyzing the testimony of authentic, socially-situated individuals, 
Dennis guides us through the complex textures of political life online. 
His research compels us to look beyond the lazy clichés found in so much 
public debate about social media and political engagement. Read this 
book. Discuss it with your students. It will change the way we think 
about one of the most urgent issues of our time.”

Andrew Chadwick, Loughborough University, UK

“There was a time when pundits referred to online activism as 
slacktivism. Gone are those days, as recent movements and waves of 
populism demonstrate the ability of online media to connect (and 
separate!) people around common sentiment. Read this book and understand 
how it all happens. Engaging, insightful, and sharp.”

Zizi Papacharissi, University of Illinois-Chicago, USA

“James Dennis’s book addresses a core research question: “what effect 
does routine social media use have on political engagement?” In 
answering this question Dennis skillfully sidelines assumptions of 
slacktivism and clicktivism to take a deeper look at instances of 
meaningful digital micro-activism via engaging ethnographic research, 
with both individual social media users, and the influential digital 
campaigning organisation, 38 Degrees. The book, importantly, 
demonstrates that politics and participation now emerge though everyday 
forms of communication and engagement.”

Ariadne Vromen, University of Sydney, Australia

*Voucher*

A 20% discount is available on the hardcover version and the eBook if 
purchased from Palgrave before November 28, 2018, using the following 
code: PM18TWENTY4.

eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-00844-4 | £47.99
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-00843-7 | £59.99

Access on Palgrave: https://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783030008437
Access on SpringerLink: 
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-00844-4

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