ABSTRACT

Chapter 8 is the conclusion of the Nationalism on the Internet: Critical Theory and Ideology in the Age of Social Media and Fake News. It interprets the main findings and draws conclusions.

With the help of two case studies, the book identified four types of nationalist discourse on social media: biological nationalism, socio-economic nationalism, political nationalism, and cultural nationalism.

The book’s two critical discourse analyses of nationalism online show that contemporary nationalism stands in a relation to top-down leadership, the friend/enemy scheme, and militarism/law and order politics. Together, these four interlinked elements form the ideology of right-wing authoritarianism. The analyses also provide empirical indications for the use of social media bots, fake accounts, and fake attention in social media politics.

“Fake news” is not new. It started much earlier than the age of the Internet and social media. Chapter 8 argues for using the term “false news” instead of “fake news” and analyses its causes and implications. Measures are suggested that can be taken in order to challenge false news culture.

Chapter 8 also focuses on the connection of authoritarian capitalism, authoritarian movements, and authoritarian communication as the broader context of nationalism 2.0 and false news culture.