From Classical Civil Society Theories to the Digital Public Sphere

Abstract

The concept of civil society is a significant phenomenon that has been debated for years and affects the political, economic, and social spheres. However, technological advancements and the acceleration of information throughout history have altered or transformed this effectiveness of civil society. This study examines the historical development and transformation of the concept of civil society and the digital public sphere in this context. Contrary to the liberal perspective, it is argued that the independent appearance of civil society is linked to the economic contradictions created by capitalism and digitalization. The study discusses the historical development of civil society from Ancient Greece to the modern era and is based on Thomas Janoski's model of citizenship. The findings of the literature review show that the boundaries in Janoski's model have loosened with the development of digitalization. However, the freedom of data sharing has transformed into an economic sphere of interest, limiting the liberating effect of digitalization. Discussions within the framework of Althusser's ideological apparatuses and Gramsci's hegemony concepts reveal that the civil sphere is shrinking despite digitalization. The main reason for this shrinkage, as indicated by the literature, stems from increasing surveillance and digital repression.

Keywords

• Civil Society
• Janoski's Model
• Digital Public Sphere
• Platform Capitalism
• Digital Hegemony.

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

It is declared that scientific and ethical principles have been followed while carrying out and writing this study and that all the sources used have been properly cited.

Klasik Sivil Toplum Teorilerinden Dijital Kamusal Alana

Abstract

Sivil toplum kavramı, yıllardır tartışılan ve siyasi, ekonomik ve sosyal alanları etkileyen önemli bir olgudur. Bununla birlikte, teknolojik gelişmeler ve bilginin hızlanması, sivil toplumun bu etkinliğini değiştirmiş veya dönüştürmüştür. Bu çalışma, bu bağlamda sivil toplum kavramının ve dijital kamusal alanın tarihsel gelişimini ve dönüşümünü incelemektedir. Liberal bakış açısının aksine, sivil toplumun bağımsız görünümünün kapitalizm ve dijitalleşmenin yarattığı ekonomik çelişkilerle bağlantılı olduğu savunulmaktadır. Çalışma, Antik Yunan'dan modern çağa kadar sivil toplumun tarihsel gelişimini ele almakta ve Thomas Janoski'nin vatandaşlık modeline dayanmaktadır. Literatür taramasının bulguları, Janoski'nin modelindeki sınırların dijitalleşmenin gelişmesiyle gevşediğini göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte, veri paylaşım özgürlüğü, dijitalleşmenin özgürleştirici etkisini sınırlayan ekonomik bir çıkar alanına dönüşmüştür. Althusser'in ideolojik aygıtları ve Gramsci'nin hegemonya kavramları çerçevesindeki tartışmalar, dijitalleşmeye rağmen sivil alanın daraldığını ortaya koymaktadır. Literatürün de belirttiği gibi, bu küçülmenin temel nedeni artan gözetim ve dijital baskıdır.

Keywords

• Sivil Toplum
• Janoski Modeli
• Dijital Kamusal Alan
• Platform Kapitalizmi
• Dijital Hegemonya.

Supporting Institution

Çalışma, kamusal, özel, ticari nitelikte ya da kar amacı gütmeyen herhangi bir kurumdan destek alınmadan hazırlanmıştır.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmanın hazırlanma sürecinde bilimsel ve etik ilkelere uyulduğu ve yararlanılan tüm çalışmaların kaynakçada belirtildiği beyan olunur.

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