Solidarity and polarisation regarding Covid-19 and related risks – A thematic analysis of comments from an international survey

Bibliographic Data

ID22204954
AuthorsSigrid Stjernswärd (0000-0002-7152-9206, Lund University, corresponding author), Glasdam (0000-0002-0893-3054, Lund University)
Year2021
Volume4
Issue1
Pages100211
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences & Humanities Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2590-2911 • E-ISSN: 2590-2911
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssaho.2021.100211
PMID34604736
OpenAlexW3203012787
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited39

COVID-19 represents a risk to people's life and societies in their current shapes and functions, with institutionalised responses redefining everyday life. Crises in society can induce fear and tensions that can unite and divide people, inducing acts of solidarity and polarisation. The study explored articulations of solidarity and polarisation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and related risks. A Foucault-inspired thematic analysis was pursued on qualitative data from an international survey about COVID-19 and social media. The analysis resulted in four themes illustrating articulations of solidarity and polarisation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis showed solidarity and polarisation as each other's premise and contradiction. Socialisation into a 'new normal' was characterised by the balance between solidarity and polarisation as well as aspirations to enhance future solidarity. The study illustrated that social media functioned as social technology for control and manipulation towards social normalisation. However, it was also used to voice attempts to rectify (or overthrow) the dominant medico-political discourse and norms with own preferences, opinions and a functioning daily life. In short, the articulations and social media uses could be interpreted as expressions of power and counter-power

Contradiction · Epistemology · Everyday life · Political science · Politics · Premise · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Solidarity · Thematic analysis · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Gender Studies · Law · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social Psychology · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy