The Radical History Review seeks submissions for an issue that will explore the political and historical implications of the accelerated proliferation of digital culture in the first decade of the 21st century.
We are now in the midst of a dramatic cultural and political change as digital culture in the form of personal communication devices, online social networking sites, instant mass messaging, multiuser video games, and numerous other digital media forms, reshape the way we communicate and interact with each other. Just as the modern industrial era reshaped the nature of human and political subjectivity, the digital information era is reshaping social movements, how we view ourselves in relation to the social and political, and rewiring where, how, and with whom we engage in political action.
This issue of RHR will examine the impact of digital culture on political life at the local, national, and transnational level, such as the “Twitter Revolution” in Iran, social networking and the Arab Spring, and the popular use of digital communication tools in “Occupy Wall Street”. It will explore the strengths and weaknesses, and popular perceptions, of digital media in struggles for justice through a series of interlocking themes. (A list of possible themes is available on the journal website.)
The Journal is requesting abstracts that are no longer than 400 words; these are due by December 31, 2011 and should be submitted electronically as an attachment, to contactrhr@gmail.com with “Issue 117 submission” in the subject line.
By February 15, 2012, authors of approved abstracts will be asked to submit their full articles for peer review. The due date for completed drafts of articles is July 1, 2012. An invitation to submit a full article does not guarantee publication.