POLITICS OF FRAGMENTATION AND SIGNIFICATIONideological change and non-verbal communicationin the Swedish Pirate Party
by Anders Utbult([email protected])
This presentation is based on:
Postmodernism by Glenn Ward (mainly chapter 8)
Poststructuralism by Catherine Belsey Citizen Politics by Russel J. Dalton (chapter 2)
Pirate Party-material from: Blogs Flickr Wikis
We will discuss:
What changes could be seen in ideology in a postmodern society?
How can these changes affect the role of the political party?
How can this new situation be adressed by the political parties?
In the context of The Pirate Party and the Swedish society and political system
Ideology & Postmodernism
The fragmentation of ideology
Jean-François Lyotard (1979):”The fall of the grand metanarrative” No one single ”truth” No universal ethics?
The decline of class war and other boundaries Rise of individual issues, niche-politics Nationalism replaced by multi-culturalism,
cosmopolitanism – ”the globalized identity”
A Structured Belief System
Structuringprinciple
(ideology)
Issueopinion
Issueopinion
Issueopinion
Issueopinion
Source: ”Figure 2.1 Model of a Structured Belief System”Dalton 2006, p.17
A Hierarchial Belief System
Structuringprinciple
General orientation
Specificissue
Specificissue
Specificissue
General orientation
Specificissue
Specificissue
General orientation
Specificissue
Source: ”Figure 2.4 A Hierarchical Model of Beliefs”Dalton 2006, p.28
SpecificIssue
SpecificIssue
Specific Issue
Specific IssueSpecificIssue
A Fractured Belief System?
General orientation
Increased access to politics
It is easier and cheaper to… …gain information
National/international Science, statistics
…participate Writing, blogging, commenting
…organize Reduced lag
…but also a feeling of ”too much”?
Changing the shape of politics
Focuses on unifyingindividuals with different priorities
Is based on ideology/agrand narrative
Uses traditional forums of public debate
Uses one-waycommunication
Focus on a diversity of wievs and accepts them
Don’t believe in a singletruth
Focus on openess – selfanalysing
Is interactive
”Modern” politics ”Postmodern” politics
Introduction to Sweden
Sweden in brief
Highly developed, democratic society 9 million people, 85% in urban areas Neutral, part of the European Union ”Talent, technology, tolerance”
Swedish politics
The Moderate Party The Centre Party The Liberal Party The Christian Democrats
The Social Democrats The Left Party The Green Party
Alliance for Sweden The Red-Greens
Parliamentary, representative democracy Social democratic 1932-1976, 1982-1991 Taxes and regulations – strong welfare state
The Pirate Party
Background
Founded in 2006 by IT-entrepreneur Rick Falkvinge Created its first party program through debate
forums on the internet Gained popularity through debates concerning:
FRA – surveillance of internet communication IPRED – copyright infringement law The Pirate Bay – sharing content on the internet
Won 7,1% of the votes in the election for the European parliament in June 2009
Main focus of the party
Three areas: ”Shared culture” - Copyright ”Free knowledge” - Patents ”Protected private life” – Surveillance & Integrity
No views on other issues All levels: European, national, municipal, student Not the first party of this model – but the first to be
open about their narrow scope
Differences compared to other parties
Focus on many/all areas of society
Base their politics on a comprehensive ideologyand/or grand idéas
Uses electronic communicationas a supplement to party activities
Membership costs money and is single
Definable within left/right
Focus only on its three specificareas
Base their politics on commonbeliefs, but only in certainareas
Uses electronic communicationas the main form of party activities
Membership is free and couldbe plural
Not definable within left/right
Established parties The Pirate Party
The Pirate Party and Ideology
Issue Issue
Issue
The Pirate Party
Individual
IndividualIndividual
Signifying the new
Knowledge: Technical, statistical, communicational Often: Young, alternative, well informed (example)
Openess: Finances, internal debates Day to day blogging Regain lost trust in the political game
Interaction & Participation Politics decided through online forums User generated content: Blogs, YouTube, Campaigns Local inititatives without central control
Ways of communication
Blog networking – affecting media Constantly commenting
Mocking, parodizing lack of knowledge Gaining publicity by being avant-garde
Taking pride in ”not being serious” and narrow focus
Focus on participation/interaction rather thanacceptance/support
Pluralism, but with common signs
The Pirate Party on the Streets
Together with openess, easy access and easy participation:
Signifying the open organisation
”Party leader”
Top left: High members of the Pirate Party
Top right: A Swedish hobby soccer team
Bottom: ”Become a supporter” – campaign by the Social Democrats
Team member or supporter?
Troubles ohoy?
Success in European election – low support in national politics
Other parties catching up? Questions concerning digital culture Ways of communication/participation
No current debate? Not ”serious” enough for national politics? Focus on a broader perspective
Questions for debate:
Does society’s view on ideology change with events? Financial crisis leading to quest for easy answers? Is the fragmentation of ideology based on wealth or
other factors?
Newly founded Pirate Party of Canada Will they have a chance? What national factors affect?
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