Digital Capital Divide and Political Communication: Bourdieusian-Ragneddaian Views on Nepal’s Online Political Sphere

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines how Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capital extended in Massimo Ragnedda’s concept of digital capital shapes political influence within Nepal’s online political sphere.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopts a qualitative, literature-based approach by reviewing scholarly publications, official reports, documents, and recent political developments, including the social media ban, political powershifts, and the 2025 Nepal’s Gen Z Protests.

Findings: The review reveals that digital capital has emerged as an important source of political influence by enabling political actors, youth groups, and citizens to mobilize support, shape public discourse, and democratic participation and influence. However, access to digital capital remains uneven across urban and rural populations, generations, educational backgrounds, and political actors, reinforcing existing socioeconomic inequalities and digital capital divide in Nepal.

Originality/Value: The study proposes the combined Bourdieusian-Ragnedda model to analyse Nepal’s digital political landscape positioning digital capital as a form of political participation and power. The paper also combines the ideas of digital divide. It contributes to the digital political communication and highlights the need for empirical research to examine the relationship between digital capital, democratic participation, and influence.