@article{article_845726, title={A Communicative Turn of International Relations in the Context of the Arab Uprisings: Social Media and the Rise of the Citizen 2.0}, journal={Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi}, volume={76}, pages={845–879}, year={2021}, DOI={10.33630/ausbf.845726}, author={Ergül Jorgensen, Feride Aslı}, keywords={Communication theories, International relations, Social media, Citizen 2.0, Arab Spring}, abstract={This article argues that one of the most important reasons of the pronounced inability of the International Relations discipline to adapt to the rapidly changing world is that the concept of communication remains marginal in the discipline. The article suggests that the limits can be overcome if more attention is given to the role of ordinary individuals, or citizen 2.0, who by means of social media increase their influence. In this context, it is important to understand that a change in communication technology implies not only the facilitation of communication methods but also vital changes in political and social structures. Notably, a fluid society emerges at local, (trans-)national and international levels, a society in which ordinary individuals gain the power of informing, influencing and activating societies. A discipline that aims at understanding "relations" among states should not remain indifferent to such changes. The article uses the case of the Arab Spring as a turning point, which is claimed to be the first time a social movement efficiently applied user-based communication tools. Analyzing the so far neglected communication theories and the empowered new citizen 2.0 within this perspective, will contribute to the empowerment of the discipline and make it more “up to date”}, number={4}, publisher={Ankara University}