Politicization in the Digital Age: Navigating Structure, Agency, and Biographical Processes

The landscape of political engagement and individual politicization has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, particularly following the emergence of new protest movements globally since 2011. While biographical research has historically offered profound insights into these processes, a critical gap has emerged regarding the pervasive influence of digitalization on how individuals become politically aware and active. This article delves into the complexities of politicization, examining how traditional theoretical frameworks in biographical research must adapt to the realities of the digital age, and proposing a nuanced approach that prioritizes empirical testing of existing concepts before radical paradigm shifts.

The DOI for this research is https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-27.3.4775. The study explores key themes including politicization, biographical research, digitalization, postdigital research, structure and agency, political socialization, migration, social movements, homeland politics, and political participation.

The Evolving Nature of Politicization

The phenomenon of individual politicization, defined as the process through which individuals develop political consciousness and engagement, has been a focal point for extensive research. Biographical researchers, in particular, have contributed significantly by tracing the life stories and experiences that shape political identities. These narratives often highlight the interplay between individual agency and the social structures within which people live. However, the rapid advancement and integration of digital technologies into nearly every facet of modern life present a new frontier for understanding these processes.

The abstract highlights a crucial debate within academia: whether the profound impact of digitalization necessitates a complete overhaul of established theoretical paradigms in biographical research, potentially moving towards a "post-humanist perspective" as suggested by thinkers like Bruno Latour and his actor-network theory. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and non-human actors (including digital technologies) in shaping social realities.

However, the research advocates for a more grounded approach. Before embarking on such paradigm shifts, it argues that politicization should first be scrutinized as a fundamental problem of "structure and agency." This means rigorously examining how existing social, economic, and political structures (structure) interact with individuals’ capacity to act and make choices (agency) in their political development. Crucially, the study emphasizes the need for these theoretical concepts to be empirically tested.

Re-evaluating Political Consciousness in a Digital World

To address this empirical imperative, the research proposes the utilization of William A. Gamson’s concept of "political consciousness." Gamson’s framework, detailed in his works "Talking Politics" (1992a) and "The Social Psychology of Collective Action" (1992b), is characterized by its openness to diverse interpretations and its clear empirical criteria. This makes it particularly well-suited for examining seemingly paradoxical phenomena within politicization processes, such as individuals expressing unease or even resistance to the very term "politics" while simultaneously engaging in politically relevant actions.

This concept of political consciousness, with its inherent flexibility and empirical grounding, offers a valuable lens through which to analyze how individuals construct their political understanding and identities in an increasingly complex and digitally mediated world. It allows researchers to move beyond simplistic categorizations and explore the nuances of political engagement, even when it appears to be indirect or unconventional.

Case Study: A Moroccan Diaspora Activist in Germany

To illustrate the practical application of Gamson’s concept, the study centers on a case study of a Moroccan diaspora activist living in Germany. This choice is significant, as it brings together several critical dimensions of contemporary politicization: migration, transnational identities, and the role of homeland politics.

The Moroccan diaspora in Germany, like many diaspora communities globally, navigates a complex web of identities and allegiances. They are influenced by their experiences in their host country, their connections to their country of origin, and the broader geopolitical context that shapes both. The study aims to explore how this individual’s biographical journey, shaped by migration and their engagement with issues related to Morocco, can be empirically reconstructed as a "biographical process structure" as defined by Fritz Schütze (1981, 1984).

Schütze’s work emphasizes the importance of understanding life stories not just as chronological accounts but as structured processes that reveal underlying patterns of experience and meaning-making. By applying Gamson’s concept of political consciousness to this individual’s lived and narrated life stories (as explored by Gabriele Rosenthal, 1995, 2015), the research seeks to understand:

• How political awareness develops: This includes examining the triggers, experiences, and interactions that lead to a heightened sense of political understanding and commitment.
• The role of structure and agency: How do the social structures of Germany and Morocco, as well as the individual’s personal circumstances and choices, shape their political trajectory?
• The impact of digitalization: What specific role do digital platforms, social media, online communities, and digital communication play in facilitating, shaping, or even hindering this activist’s politicization process?

The study’s focus on a Moroccan diaspora activist in Germany is particularly relevant given the history of political engagement within Moroccan communities abroad. For instance, the Hirak Rif movement, which gained significant traction in Morocco’s Rif region and among its diaspora in Europe starting around 2016, highlighted the deep-seated grievances and the power of transnational solidarity. This movement, characterized by widespread protests against corruption and marginalization, demonstrated the potent combination of local discontent and global connectivity. The diaspora’s involvement, often facilitated by digital communication and social media, underscored the evolving nature of political action beyond national borders. Research by Christoph H. Schwarz (2020, 2021, 2024b) has explored this "transmediterranean political socialization," where Europe acts as a significant "political imaginary" for diaspora communities engaged with their homeland’s political dynamics.

The "Postdigital" Frontier

The research implicitly engages with the concept of the "postdigital." This term, as discussed by Florian Cramer (2014), does not simply refer to a future state where digital technology is ubiquitous, but rather to a present condition where digital and analog realities are so deeply interwoven that the distinction becomes blurred. In this postdigital era, digital technologies are not merely tools but are integrated into the very fabric of our lives, influencing our perceptions, interactions, and the construction of our identities.

Scholars like Patrick Bettinger (2021, 2023) and Juliane Engel and Benjamin Jörissen (2024) have begun exploring the implications of this "postdigital heterogeneity" for biographical research. They argue that biographies are increasingly becoming "socio-medial assemblages," where digital networks and media play a crucial role in shaping individual life courses and self-understandings. This perspective suggests that to fully grasp contemporary politicization, researchers must account for how online interactions, information flows, and digital communities contribute to the formation of political beliefs and behaviors.

For the Moroccan diaspora activist in Germany, digitalization likely plays a multifaceted role. Social media platforms could serve as arenas for political discussion, mobilization, and the dissemination of information about events in Morocco. Online networks might connect individuals with shared concerns, fostering a sense of collective identity and purpose. Furthermore, the activist’s engagement with political issues might be mediated through digital news sources, online activist groups, and virtual communities that transcend geographical boundaries.

The research aims to empirically demonstrate how these digital interactions contribute to the development of political consciousness, influencing the individual’s understanding of their own agency and the structures that shape their lives. It questions whether the perceived "unease with the term politics" might stem from a disconnect between traditional, often confrontational, political discourse and the more fluid, networked, and often implicitly political forms of engagement prevalent in the digital sphere.

Methodological Considerations and Future Directions

The study’s commitment to empirical testing is central to its contribution. By applying Gamson’s framework to a concrete case, it seeks to provide tangible evidence for the utility of established theoretical concepts in understanding contemporary politicization. This approach stands in contrast to calls for immediate theoretical upheaval, suggesting instead a process of refinement and validation.

The methodology likely involves in-depth qualitative research, drawing on biographical narrative interviews, as pioneered by Fritz Schütze (1977, 2008a, 2008b) and further developed by Gabriele Rosenthal (1995, 2015). These interviews would aim to capture the richness of the activist’s life story, exploring their experiences, reflections, and interpretations of their political journey. The analysis would then focus on identifying how Gamson’s criteria for political consciousness manifest within these narratives, paying close attention to the role of digital interactions.

The implications of this research are significant for several reasons:

• Understanding Political Socialization in the Digital Age: It offers a framework for understanding how individuals, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, develop political awareness and engage in activism in an era dominated by digital media.
• Bridging Theoretical Divides: It seeks to reconcile the insights of traditional biographical research with the challenges and opportunities presented by digitalization, avoiding a premature abandonment of established theories.
• Informing Social Movements and Policy: A deeper understanding of politicization processes can inform strategies for social movements seeking to mobilize and engage diverse populations, as well as policy interventions aimed at fostering informed and active citizenship.

The research underscores the enduring relevance of examining the interplay between structure and agency in political development. By grounding theoretical exploration in empirical analysis, particularly through the lens of political consciousness and biographical narratives, it offers a pathway to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of how individuals become political actors in our increasingly digitalized world. The case of the Moroccan diaspora activist serves as a crucial empirical touchstone, promising to illuminate the intricate ways in which lived experiences, social structures, and digital technologies converge to shape political identities and actions.

The author, Christoph H. Schwarz, a senior assistant professor at the University of Innsbruck, brings extensive expertise to this field, with published work spanning political socialization, migration, social movements, and collective memory. His previous research has explored the transnational dimensions of political socialization within diaspora communities, providing a strong foundation for this current investigation. The study’s commitment to empirical rigor and its engagement with both classic and contemporary theoretical debates position it as a valuable contribution to the ongoing scholarly conversation about politicization in the 21st century.