Dissent Inside the Echo Chamber
Ideological Debate in the Online Incel Movement
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8243170 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Charles O''Donnell (0000-0001-7103-8418, Cornell University), Catharina O'Donnell (Catharina O'Donnell is a PhD candidate in sociology at Harvard University, email: [email protected]. Eran Shor is a professor of sociology at McGill University., corresponding author), Eran Shor (0009-0003-4861-0828, Cornell University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 105-129 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Mobilization An International Quarterly (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1086-671X • E-ISSN: 1938-1514 |
| Publisher | Mobilization Journal (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.17813/1086-671x-31-1-105 |
| OpenAlex | W7140160654 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
Do online echo chambers suppress debate? This study examines when and how extremist movements engage in ideological dissensus. Through digital participant observation of the largest Incel forum, we find that disagreement routinely surfaces when positions align with the movement’s settled ideological core and public scrutiny is low. Incels enforce unanimity on the “Black Pill” ideological core but debate three peripheral questions: (1) the possibility and desirability of “ascending” from Inceldom by improving relationships with women; (2) whether the group should expand its membership; and (3) the justifiability of violence as a political tactic. Adapting Freeden’s core-periphery framework, we argue that consensus on essential principles facilitates dissensus on unresolved questions. Our study clarifies how movement ideologies are actively constructed and complicates portrayals of online extremist groups as ideologically homogeneous echo chambers
Disinformation · Dissent · Echo (communications protocol) · Ideology · Politics · Scrutiny · Unanimity · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Social Media and Politics · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |