Democracy in Crisis, Digital Platforms, and Leadership Redefined
From South Korea's unrest to Kamala Harris’ campaign, GLP-1 medications, and social media’s impact—CITAP researchers tackle today’s key challenges.
South Korea’s Fight for Democracy
In a thought-provoking op-ed, CITAP Affiliate Heesoo Jang unpacks the deeper story behind South Korea's shocking six-hour martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The event drew global attention and was the culmination of longstanding tensions fueled by corruption, inequality, and systemic governance failures. Jang delves into the widespread dissatisfaction among South Koreans, marked by ongoing protests calling for President Yoon's impeachment and systemic reforms.
The piece highlights pivotal moments leading to this unrest, from vetoed investigations into government scandals to economic policies exacerbating inequality. Jang also examines the erosion of public trust in democracy, underscoring the global implications of South Korea's fight for justice and accountability.
As South Korea's National Assembly prepares to vote on President Yoon's impeachment, Jang's op-ed powerfully reminds us of the vigilance required to safeguard democratic values. South Korea's ongoing struggle offers a lesson for the world: democracy thrives on collective action and resilient institutions.
Digital Platforms and Public Trust
In "What Do People Want? Views on Platforms and the Digital Public Sphere in Eight Countries", authors Waqas Ejaz, Richard Fletcher, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, and Shannon McGregor offer a comprehensive look at how digital platforms impact democracy, politics, and society. The report reveals a deep ambivalence toward platforms like social media, search engines, and video networks based on survey data from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the UK, and the USA. While these platforms are widely used and valued for their ability to connect people and provide easy access to information, they are also mistrusted for spreading misinformation, fostering harassment, and amplifying bias.
The report highlights significant variations in platform trust: search engines (55%) are the most trusted, while social media and generative AI tools lag (around 30%). Younger, politically engaged, and tech-savvy individuals are more likely to use platforms for political news. However, traditional media like television and news websites remain dominant sources of information, especially among older demographics.
The report's critical focus is how platforms contribute to and challenge the digital public sphere. They are lauded for empowering individuals with access to diverse viewpoints but criticized for amplifying extreme ideologies and undermining civil discourse. The findings show widespread public support for platforms to take responsibility for misinformation and data privacy, but there is limited enthusiasm for direct government regulation.
By examining public sentiment across eight diverse countries, Ejaz et al. provide a nuanced understanding of digital platforms' role in shaping modern democracies, highlighting both their potential and the urgent need for greater accountability. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers, platform developers, and users navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Kamala Harris’ Legacy
Tressie McMillan Cottom reflected with NPR's Juana Summers on the challenges and significance of Kamala Harris' historic presidential campaign. She described Harris' candidacy as a double-edged milestone, noting how Black women are often called to lead during crises, which can diminish the optimism such breakthroughs should inspire.
McMillan Cottom emphasized that Black women deserve more than symbolic roles; they need genuine institutional support and policies addressing their economic and political concerns. She praised Harris for embodying presidential power and expanding narratives about Black women in leadership, mainly through her intense focus on foreign policy.
While Harris' defeat highlights systemic barriers, McMillan Cottom sees valuable lessons for future candidates, including the importance of embracing identity and building coalitions, which will pave the way for substantive progress in representation and leadership.
Weight-Loss Drugs and Society
Weight of the World explores the rise of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, and their impact on the weight-loss industry, health perspectives, and cultural views on body image. Initially developed for diabetes management, these drugs have become associated with rapid weight loss, capturing public interest through celebrity endorsements.
The documentary follows three individuals navigating the personal and societal complexities of using GLP-1s while examining over 40 years of American diet culture. It raises critical questions about whether these medications signify a revolutionary shift or a continuation of the longstanding narrative around weight loss.
Tressie McMillan Cottom contributes expert commentary on how these drugs reflect society's obsession with thinness and the expectation of solving complex social problems through individual interventions. Her insights enrich the film's exploration of body image, diet culture, and the broader implications of these pharmaceutical advancements.
Trump and the Power of Digital Culture
In her post-election analysis, Tressie McMillan Cottom explores how Donald Trump leveraged online ecosystems and cultural archetypes to secure his presidency during a global wave of populism and anti-incumbency sentiment. While Kamala Harris faced the challenges of breaking through a noisy and fragmented digital space, Trump thrived by tapping into emotionally charged online subcultures like tradwives, podcast bros, and wellness influencers.
Cottom examines how these communities blur traditional political lines, appealing to diverse audiences with aesthetics and narratives rooted in nostalgia, gender essentialism, and economic fantasy. Trump's messaging, though incoherent to some, resonated by offering affective connection and reinforcing exclusionary ideas about race, gender, and power.
She argues that the internet of 2024 prioritizes spectacle over policy, providing fertile ground for disinformation and reactionary personalities. To regain cultural relevance, liberals must learn to combat misinformation while authentically engaging with people in the digital spaces where they form identities and connections.
Social Media’s Hidden Impact
In a recent episode of Stateside, CITAP affiliate Pranav Malhotra, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, joined host April Bear to discuss the complexities of social media, addressing common fears and misconceptions and its evolving role in society. Malhotra challenged the prevailing narrative that algorithms drive polarization and misinformation, arguing that social media amplifies existing societal issues rather than creating them.
He noted that while platforms expose users to more ideologically diverse information through weak ties, they also magnify political identities, contributing to polarization. Malhotra emphasized the ethical decisions embedded in platform design, pointing out how a lack of diversity among developers exacerbates systemic issues, such as online harassment.
Malhotra also explored the rise of "bounded social media places," like private Discord servers and group chats, where users seek control and intimacy away from algorithm-driven feeds. However, he cautioned that misplaced trust in these spaces can obscure risks like misinformation. Comparing U.S. and Indian social media use, Malhotra highlighted how cultural contexts shape perceptions, with Indians often viewing technology as a tool for development.
Looking ahead, Malhotra predicted a growing shift toward private, low-visibility platforms as users seek refuge from mainstream social media's increasing noise and commercialization. However, he acknowledged concerns about monetization even in these spaces. The conversation underscored the importance of nuanced discussions around social media's role in modern society.