Role of Historical Political Cultures, State-Society Dynamics and Technological Infrastructure in Shaping Digital Activism

Abstract

This study explores digital activism among Generation Z in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Madagascar. This paper discusses historical political cultures, relations between the state and society, and the existing digital infrastructure to understand what drives Generation Z to engage in politically driven digital activism in the global South. The comparative-historical method is used to trace historically and institutionally grounded reasons for the emergence of digitally mediated protest movements. To understand the process of mobilization and politicization of youths in the digital space, the study employed Manuel Castells’s concept of networked social movements, the approach of Tilly and Skocpol to the comparative analysis of historical events, and ideas from generational sociologists. This study argued that digital activism cannot be viewed solely through the lens of digital infrastructure and technology. Instead, the historical political cultures and the relationship between state and society are key drivers of the mobilization. By analyzing the literature on the topic and data from archives, protest reports, and digital protest activities on social media, this study shows that these platforms serve as political public spheres for protest. At the same time, social media becomes a tool of surveillance, censorship, and repression of dissidents. Horizontal organizing, skepticism towards institutional organizations, emotional and visual mobilization, and globalized digital solidarity are key aspects of Generation Z activism across all five cases under study. In addition, despite the high disruptive potential of digitally enabled activism, there remains a difficulty in generating structural transformations. Although some protests managed to oust leaders or secure policy concessions, significant structural changes are scarce. Thus, it is concluded that Generation Z activism in the global south context represents a new phase in the development of organizing and participation.