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This exploratory paper summarizes the findings of an empirical research study on the Bernie Sande... more This exploratory paper summarizes the findings of an empirical research study on the Bernie Sanders campaign, its relationship to current social movements, how it has used art (visual imagery) to promote social change, and analyzed its use of social media in light of new social movement theory. Cultural theories addressing social movements have emphasized the need to examine frames of meaning. In this paper, memes posted on Facebook are used to identify these frames of meaning. Sanders memes reject an extreme concentration of wealth, polarizing two groups in the U.S. identified as the 99 percent and the one percent. Just as new social movements expand their concerns beyond the material to include private action and personal identity issues, the memes associated with the Bernie Sanders campaign call attention to broader social issues of racial inequality and the need for criminal justice reform. Sanders memes align the proposed progressive political movement with the international peace movement. The memes I have analyzed declare that Sanders is “the right man at the right time;” he is authentic and not opportunistic in his support of long-term movements which have promoted social equality in the U.S. The images create a sense of history for the proposed revolution. The Sanders campaign used the memes for recruitment and mobilization. Their visuals included confrontation and emotional and moral appeals. Memes were also used to reveal the mitigation tactics being used by “the establishment.” Memes were shared on Facebook to expose media bias and to thwart perceived media blackouts. New social movements might be considered “looser” communities rather than organized entities engaged in collective action. Sanders memes promoted solidarity and a sense of community. The Sanders campaign has distinguished itself as a political campaign which has successfully used social media to raise supporting funds by relying on small donors. The campaign raised an estimated 220millionandtheaveragedonationwas220 million and the average donation was 220millionandtheaveragedonationwas27. It has also effectively used social media to organize a significant number of people who at least at present still view themselves as a “virtual community.”

Papers by Elizabeth Higgs

The Journal of American Folklore, 1996

The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2013

Journal of Family History, 2013

College & Research Libraries, 1998

This exploratory paper summarizes the findings of an empirical research study on the Bernie Sande... more This exploratory paper summarizes the findings of an empirical research study on the Bernie Sanders campaign, its relationship to current social movements, how it has used art (visual imagery) to promote social change, and analyzed its use of social media in light of new social movement theory. Cultural theories addressing social movements have emphasized the need to examine frames of meaning. In this paper, memes posted on Facebook are used to identify these frames of meaning. Sanders memes reject an extreme concentration of wealth, polarizing two groups in the U.S. identified as the 99 percent and the one percent. Just as new social movements expand their concerns beyond the material to include private action and personal identity issues, the memes associated with the Bernie Sanders campaign call attention to broader social issues of racial inequality and the need for criminal justice reform. Sanders memes align the proposed progressive political movement with the international peace movement. The memes I have analyzed declare that Sanders is “the right man at the right time;” he is authentic and not opportunistic in his support of long-term movements which have promoted social equality in the U.S. The images create a sense of history for the proposed revolution. The Sanders campaign used the memes for recruitment and mobilization. Their visuals included confrontation and emotional and moral appeals. Memes were also used to reveal the mitigation tactics being used by “the establishment.” Memes were shared on Facebook to expose media bias and to thwart perceived media blackouts. New social movements might be considered “looser” communities rather than organized entities engaged in collective action. Sanders memes promoted solidarity and a sense of community. The Sanders campaign has distinguished itself as a political campaign which has successfully used social media to raise supporting funds by relying on small donors. The campaign raised an estimated 220millionandtheaveragedonationwas220 million and the average donation was 220millionandtheaveragedonationwas27. It has also effectively used social media to organize a significant number of people who at least at present still view themselves as a “virtual community.”

The Journal of American Folklore, 1996

The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2013

Journal of Family History, 2013

College & Research Libraries, 1998

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