Digital Technologies and African Societies : Challenges and Opportunities

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Part 1 Social Media and the Public Space in Africa -- Chapter 1 Civil Society in the Consolidation Process of Democracy in Burkina Faso: Balai Citoyen on Facebook -- 1.1. Problems -- 1.2. Theoretical and methodological approach -- 1.3. Good governance, the purpose of Balai Citoyen -- 1.4. The media construction of Balai Citoyen via Facebook: images and propaganda -- 1.5. Leadership: a factor of mobilization via social networks -- 1.6. Facebook and Balai Citoyen: an instrument of conquest and political struggle? -- 1.7. Conclusion -- 1.8. References -- Chapter 2 Social Networks, New Barometers of Political Action in Côte d'Ivoire -- 2.1. Positioning of the problem -- 2.2. Social networks and the question of their importance in the world, in Africa and in Côte d'Ivoire -- 2.3. Some message content broadcast on digital social networks -- 2.4. Mobilization and process implemented: a need for freedom met by the Internet -- 2.5. The real impact of mobilization on political action -- 2.6. Mobilization and messages -- 2.7. Social networks, political actors and the exercise of power in Côte d'Ivoire -- 2.8. Conclusion -- 2.9. References -- Chapter 3 Mobilization for Collective Action: The Contribution of Digital Social Networks to Political Engagement -- 3.1. State of play and theoretical framework -- 3.1.1. Digital social networks (DSNs): current situation -- 3.1.2. Theoretical positioning of research -- 3.2. Research results -- 3.2.1. Types and processes of collective action: the different types -- 3.2.2. Collective action process -- 3.2.3. Actions for collective mobilization: from the use of traditional media to digital social media -- 3.2.4. Broadening public debate on DSNs and mobilizing for socio-political demands.