Marxist perspectives on digital communications

Question 1

Digital communications enable cultural imperialism

Answer 1

• Seabrook argues cultural homogenisation is a form of cultural imperialism
• Internet is largely controlled by Western-based companies, who spread Western, capitalist ideas (consumerism, individualism)

Question 2

The popularity of social media platforms distract people from focusing on the problems caused by capitalism

Answer 2

• Chomsky argues that platforms (e.g: Twitter) creates superficial forms of communications
• This acts as a distraction from problems (e.g: class inequalities), as people spend time on non-important issues (shopping, entertainment)

Question 3

Digital communications are dominated by a few powerful companies

Answer 3

• Jenkins- internet is controlled by FAANG. Dominated by the large corporations of the ruling elite
• Cornford and Robins- owners of digital communications are capitalists, who want to make a profit and control the masses by justifying capitalism

Question 4

Digital communications provide a new form of surveillance for the capitalist class

Answer 4

• Cornford and Robins- the ruling capitalist class are accessing people’s private digital communications, using the excuse that they are protecting the public from terrorism. Use this data to monitor the proletariart and clamp down on protesing

Question 5

There is a de-regulation of the media and digital communciations

Answer 5

• Digital communications are mediated by private companies, rather than state companies. So there are few laws governing its moral responsibilities. There are growing concerns about the lack of social control