Abstract
This article sets out three ways of conceiving publics: (1) an organic conception, the public as the body politic; (2) an individualized conception, the public as an aggregate of individuals, grouped by social categories; and (3) a relational conception, in which publics are defined as open-ended networks of actors linked through flows of communication, shared stories, and civic or other collective concerns. These conceptions have emerged not only through theoretical reflection but also as the result of historical and institutional developments. Building on work from Tarde and Habermas down to recent theorists, I seek to advance the relational conception, suggest its implications for research, and highlight its connection to contemporary developments in both theory and society.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 57-80 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Sociological Theory |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2021 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Sociology and Political Science
Keywords
- public
- public sphere
- relational sociology
- social networks
- virality