Networked Symbolic Violence on Micro-blogs in China

Abstract

This thesis seeks to understand the phenomenon of networked symbolic violence in the Chinese micro-blog sphere. The main research questions are: (1) what are the main features of networked symbolic violence on the Chinese micro-blog Weibo, and (2) what are the main aspects of networked symbolic violence? In this study, the theory of structural violence, symbolic violence and the law of the mental unity of crowds will be used as the theoretical framework. Through a literature review and two case studies using content analysis, the findings of this study reveal that networked symbolic violence has four different stages: the beginning phase, the rising phase, the explosive phase and the dying down phase. And there are four main types of networked symbolic violence on Chinese micro-blog, they are aggressive language, aggressive symbols which contain metaphorical expressions of insult to attack others online, malicious rumors, and revealing others’ privacy. Furthermore, the networked symbolic violence on micro-blogs has four phases: a beginning phase, a rising phase, an explosive phase, and a dying-down phase. In the discussion part, the phenomenon of the crowd in the micro-blog era is discussed. Some tentative measures are also provided to prevent and stop networked symbolic violence on Chinese micro-blogs. Finally, the author indicates that it is necessary to conduct further researches on the cause of networked symbolic violence in Chinese society