Right-wing populism, social media and echo chambers in Western democracies

an article by Shelley Boulianne (MacEwan University, Canada), Karolina Koc-Michalska (Audencia Business School, France) and Bruce Bimber (University of California, USA) published in New Media and Society Volume 22 Issue 4 (April 2020)

Abstract

Many observers are concerned that echo chamber effects in digital media are contributing to the polarisation of publics and, in some places, to the rise of right-wing populism.

This study employs survey data collected in France, the United Kingdom and the United States (1500 respondents in each country) from April to May 2017.

Overall, we do not find evidence that online/social media explain support for right-wing populist candidates and parties. Instead, in the United States, use of online media decreases support for right-wing populism.

Looking specifically at echo chamber measures, we find offline discussion with those who are similar in race, ethnicity and class positively correlates with support for populist candidates and parties in the United Kingdom and France.

The findings challenge claims about the role of social media and the rise of populism.

Labels:
cross-national, digital_media, echo_chambers, political_discussion, populism, selective_exposure, social_media,

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