Is There a Transnationalization of Public Spheres? A Comparison of Two Global Political Issues

This project analyzes the degree of transnationalization of Twitter communication on two global political issues: climate change and net neutrality. Theoretically, we apply the concept of transnational discursive spaces (Castells, Keller, Pries) transcending political and media systems. We arrive at two competing hypotheses: Transnationalization is higher for climate change discourses, since it is an established policy field with a considerable transnational institutionalization (H1). Transnationalization is higher for net neutrality discourses, since online activism is globalized especially if the rights of internet users themselves are at stake (H2; cf. ACTA). We extract Twitter messages containing #netneutrality or #climatechange posted between January and March 2015. First, we map and compare the geographical landscapes of the two policy fields. Step two is a comparative network analysis that will reveal more meaningful relational patterns. Are transnational NGOs, mass media or established political actors most influential? How do the network structures develop over time?