How does the cyberspace influence the development of civil society in China
Author
Fang, Pengfei
Term
4. term
Publication year
2013
Submitted on
2013-05-30
Abstract
Internettet har gennem årtier fået stigende betydning i Kina. Under jordskælvet i Sichuan i 2008 blev onlineplatforme brugt af staten, netbrugere og civilsamfundsorganisationer til at koordinere og deltage i nødhjælpen. Samtidig antændte begivenheden en debat om civilsamfundets rolle, fordi svagheder i myndighedernes indsats og i statsorganiserede NGO’er (GONGO’er) blev synlige. Senere onlinekampagner mod korruption har yderligere vist, at digitalt medborgerskab kan mobilisere offentlig deltagelse. Dette speciale undersøger spørgsmålet: Hvordan påvirker cyberspace – forstået som digitale rum, platforme og netværk – udviklingen af civilsamfundet i Kina? Analysen tager udgangspunkt i observationer fra 2008, suppleret af baggrundsdata og to udvalgte cases. Der anvendes en deduktiv tilgang med teoretiske begreber fra offentlighedsteori (public sphere, dvs. rum for offentlig debat) og empowerment (myndiggørelse, dvs. at styrke borgeres handleevne). Konklusionen er, at cyberspace fremmer udviklingen af civilsamfundet ved at: styrke en følelse af medborgerskab i befolkningen, ændre den måde staten trænger ind i og påvirker samfundet på, og intensivere den dynamiske vekselvirkning mellem individ og stat.
Over several decades, the internet has become highly influential in China. During the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, online platforms were used by the government, internet users (netizens), and civil society organizations to coordinate and participate in relief efforts. The experience also sparked debate about the role of civil society, as weaknesses in the government response and in Government-Organized NGOs (GONGOs) became apparent. More recent online anti-corruption campaigns further show the potential of digital civic participation. This thesis asks: How does cyberspace—meaning online spaces, platforms, and networks—influence the development of civil society in China? It begins with observations from 2008, and draws on background empirical data and two selected cases. The study uses a deductive analysis informed by theories of the Public Sphere (spaces for public debate) and Empowerment (strengthening people’s capacity to act). The thesis concludes that cyberspace promotes civil society by fostering a sense of citizenship among the public, reshaping how the state reaches into and acts upon society, and intensifying the dynamic interaction between individuals and the state.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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