Software Power as Soft Power. A Literature Review on Computational Propaganda Effects in Public Opinion and Political Process

Authors

  • Rose Marie Santini Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Larissa Agostini Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Carlos Eduardo Barros Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Danilo Carvalho Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Rafael Centeno de Rezende Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Debora G. Salles Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Kenzo Seto Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Camyla Terra Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Giulia Tucci Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1285/i20356609v11i2p332

Keywords:

Bots, manipulation, politics, public opinion, social media, systematic literature review

Abstract

This article draws on a systematic literature review of recently-published material to investigate the state of the art of research into how social network profiles are being used to manipulate public opinion on political issues. The aim of this review is to discuss how the use of these profiles impacts on constructing consensus, authority, legitimacy and representativeness of politicians, parties, hegemonic and minority groups. In total, 369 articles were obtained following a bibliographic search on four different scientific citation indexing databases. Of those, 16 were considered relevant to the research question. In order to identify general trends and specific results, the pertinent papers were subjected to descriptive and critical analysis. Five main approaches were observed: A) Usage policies and platform neutrality; B) Definition, detection and description of the manipulation agents; C) Political role of agents on social networks; D) Attempted electoral predictions via social networks; and E) Network dynamics and strategies for disseminating information. In the conclusion, the results of the literature review are discussed.

Author Biographies

Rose Marie Santini, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Rose Marie Santini is a Professor at the School of Communication of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), as well as Professor of the Graduate Program in Information Science of UFRJ and of the Graduate Program in Communication Technologies and Languages of UFRJ. Founding member and Research Director of NetLab / UFRJ. Her research interests involve algorithmic culture and sociology applied to network studies.

Larissa Agostini, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Larissa Agostini graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and is interested in microssociology, network studies and politics. Larissa is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab.

Carlos Eduardo Barros, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Carlos Eduardo Barros is pursuing a graduation in Social Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). His research interests involve the issues about freedom of communication and collective action on digital media era. Carlos is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab.

Danilo Carvalho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Danilo Carvalho studies Social Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and is a developer at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). His research interests include microsociology, social media and politics, and computational social science. Danilo is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab.

Rafael Centeno de Rezende, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Rafael Rezende graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and his research interest involve the relation between social movements and social networks. Rafael is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab.

 

Debora G. Salles, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Débora G. Salles is a PhD student in the Information Sciences Graduate Program at the UFRJ, acting as a fellow researcher in the NetLab research group. She holds a master’s degree of Communication and Culture also from UFRJ. Her research focuses on digital media, cultural consumption, social networks and collaborative production.

Kenzo Seto, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Kenzo Seto graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and is pursuing a master degree in Communication also at UFRJ. His research interests involve digital populism and the political impacts of algorithms and social media. Kenzo is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab.

Camyla Terra, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Camyla Terra graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and is pursuing a master degree in Information Science also at UFRJ. Camyla is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab. Her research interests involve sociology applied to politics, digital media and cultural studies.

Giulia Tucci, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Giulia Tucci is a Chemical Engineer, graduated at PUC-Rio and holds a Master degree in Biomedical Engineering at UFRJ. Her research interests involve coding and politics studies. Giulia is currently a fellow researcher of NetLab.

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Published

13-09-2018

How to Cite

Santini, R. M., Agostini, L., Barros, C. E., Carvalho, D., Centeno de Rezende, R., Salles, D. G., … Tucci, G. (2018). Software Power as Soft Power. A Literature Review on Computational Propaganda Effects in Public Opinion and Political Process. PARTECIPAZIONE E CONFLITTO, 11(2), 332–360. https://doi.org/10.1285/i20356609v11i2p332

Issue

Vol. 11, No. 2 (2018). Special Issue: From Big Data in Politics to the Politics of Big Data

Section

Special Issue

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