Divided Publics - by Olga Zvonareva (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Digital media can support democracy, freedom and social cohesion, but it can also erode them.

This book explores that tension through the stories of grassroots volunteer networks in Russia, which emerged on Telegram after February 2022 to support Ukrainian refugees. While most of these networks aim to resist the war-waging Russian state, others seek to advance its aggressive expansionist agenda. Zvonareva examines the deep divide between digitally mediated networks that perform the same humanitarian work -- assisting refugees -- yet pursue entirely opposing political goals.

This is essential reading for students and scholars of digital media, political participation and Russian and Eastern European studies.

Review Quotes

'A timely and original contribution revealing how grassroots volunteer initiatives in Russia enact resistance through Telegram-enabled support for Ukrainian refugees, challenging assumptions of universal support for the war in Ukraine.' Jasmin Dall'Agnola, University of Zurich

'In this book, digital ethnography of wartime volunteer networks and theories of democracy are brilliantly woven together into a real page-turner.' Wiebe E. Bijker, Maastricht University

About the Author

Olga Zvonareva is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Ethics and Society at the Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University.