A brief view of post modern politics, fragmented ideology and how they can be approached.
Drawing from examples from the Swedish Pirate Party (Piratpartiet)
1. POLITICS OF
FRAGMENTATION AND
SIGNIFICATION
by Anders Utbult ideological change and non-verbal communication
(anders.utbult@gmail.com)
in the Swedish Pirate Party
2. 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
3. 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
5. 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”
6. A Structured Belief System
Issue
opinion
Structuring
Issue Issue
opinion principle opinion
(ideology)
Issue
opinion
Source: ”Figure 2.1 Model of a Structured Belief System”
Dalton 2006, p.17
7. A Hierarchial Belief System
Structuring
principle
General General General
orientation orientation orientation
Specific Specific Specific Specific Specific Specific
issue issue issue issue issue issue
Source: ”Figure 2.4 A Hierarchical Model of Beliefs”
Dalton 2006, p.28
8. A Fractured Belief System?
Specific Specific Issue
Issue
General orientation
Specific Specific
Issue Specific Issue
Issue
9. 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”?
10. Changing the shape of politics
”Modern” politics ”Postmodern” politics
Focuses on unifying Focus on a diversity of
individuals with different wievs and accepts them
priorities
Is based on ideology/a Don’t believe in a single
grand narrative truth
Uses traditional forums Focus on openess – self
of public debate analysing
Uses one-way
communication Is interactive
12. Sweden in brief
Highly developed, democratic society
9 million people, 85% in urban areas
Neutral, part of the European Union
”Talent, technology, tolerance”
13. Swedish politics
Parliamentary, representative democracy
Social democratic 1932-1976, 1982-1991
Taxes and regulations – strong welfare state
Alliance for Sweden The Red-Greens
The Moderate Party The Social Democrats
The Centre Party The Left Party
The Liberal Party The Green Party
The Christian Democrats
15. 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
16. 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
17. Differences compared to other parties
Established parties The Pirate Party
Focus on many/all areas of Focus only on its three specific
society areas
Base their politics on a Base their politics on common
comprehensive ideology beliefs, but only in certain
and/or grand idéas areas
Uses electronic communication Uses electronic communication
as a supplement to party as the main form of party
activities activities
Membership costs money and Membership is free and could
is single be plural
Definable within left/right Not definable within left/right
18. The Pirate Party and Ideology
Issue Issue
Individual
Individual
The Pirate Party
Issue
Individual
19. 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
Politicsdecided through online forums
User generated content: Blogs, YouTube, Campaigns
Local inititatives without central control
20. 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 than
acceptance/support
21. The Pirate Party on the Streets
Pluralism, but with common signs
23. Team member or supporter?
Top left: High members of the Pirate Party
Top right: A Swedish hobby soccer team
Bottom: ”Become a supporter” – campaign by the Social Democrats
24. Troubles ohoy?
Success in European election – low support in
national politics
Other parties catching up?
Questionsconcerning digital culture
Ways of communication/participation
No current debate?
Not ”serious” enough for national politics?
Focus on a broader perspective
25. 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?