Overview

This book explores the nexus between social media use among young people and political participation in Vietnam, which presents a novel case example for examining whether social media can expand the public sphere to become involved in everyday politics. With an estimated 72 million Vietnamese on Facebook, the country is the seventh-largest user base in the world. This social media platform alone has created a virtual public sphere outside of and beyond the scope of the ruling Communist Party and its state-owned media outlets.

Analysis and Contributions

The authors analyse the paradox of a complicated balancing act of digital participation in an authoritarian state, promoting a new understanding of social media in non-Western societies. The book generates a considerable body of empirical findings relating to political engagement amongst the youth in the digital age, and develops the theory of the public sphere beyond Habermas within this context.

Target Audience and Relevance

In its examination of the role of social media in society and in political communication generally, and the role of social media in authoritarian states, specifically, this book is of interest to students and scholars researching social media, political communication, and media theories. It is also relevant to those studying the intersection of media and politics in Southeast Asia, and in authoritarian states globally.