Analyzing The Role Of Social Media In Modern Political Revolutions: An Indian Perspective

Abstract

This empirical study examines the evolving role of social media platforms in shaping political discourse and mobilizing collective action in India between 2010 and 2017. The research investigates how digital technologies have transformed traditional political participation by analyzing data from major social movements including the India Against Corruption movement and various state election campaigns. Utilizing mixed methods research combining quantitative analysis of social media metrics with qualitative content analysis, this study demonstrates a significant positive correlation between social media penetration and political participation among urban youth. The findings reveal that Twitter and Facebook served as primary catalysts for information dissemination during political movements, while WhatsApp emerged as a crucial tool for grassroots mobilization. Notably, social media's impact varied considerably across demographic segments, with substantial urban-rural and age-based digital divides limiting its revolutionary potential. The paper concludes that while social media has fundamentally altered political communication in India, its role in facilitating systemic political revolutions remains mediated by existing social structures, digital literacy, and access disparities.