Decoding Digital Dissent Through Focal Network Structures
摘要
This study employs Contextual Focal Structure Analysis (CFSA) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to examine the dynamics of social movements in Brazil and Peru through social media. Focusing on the 2022 Brazil Insurrection and Peru Protests, we analyze Instagram data, targeting movement-specific hashtags. CFSA, an advanced network analysis technique, identifies influential structures and key actors within these digital networks, while LDA uncovers dominant topics within focal structures. Our research reveals the intricate interplay between online discourse and offline mobilization, highlighting how focal structures amplify movement messages and coordinate actions. By comparing the two movements, we uncover distinct patterns of information dissemination, user engagement, and thematic focus. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital social movements, demonstrating the efficacy of combining CFSA and LDA in decoding complex social media dynamics. Our findings offer valuable insights for understanding modern protest movements and their digital footprints.