ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the development of the concept of memes, its role in society and politics, as well as most investigations in the impact of memes on society in the Russian Crimean annexation in 2014 and the US presidential election in 2016. It discusses the development of the concept of memes, its role in society and politics, as well as most investigations in the impact of memes on society in the Russian Crimean annexation in 2014 and the US presidential election in 2016. The book describes Internet memes as one phenomenon of digital communication. It argues that despite its initial theoretical attractiveness, the Darwinian approach does little help in analysing memes of the Internet. The book deals with the conclusion that brings about a critical reflection on the role of memes for society and politics in Western and non-Western contexts.
