Sociala medier som politiskt verktyg- En studie av Piratpartiets syn på och användning av sociala medier i det politiska arbetet

Sammanfattning: The thesis examines the new media landscape were politics and social media play central parts. In Sweden Piratpartiet, or the Pirate Party has grown in popularity and much of the success is earned thanks to the party’s political strategy in social media. Since the phenomena of social media is new and therefore not examined in academic studies, the essay’s purpose is to map out how social media is used as a political tool. The study addresses the following research questions: How does Piratpartiet define social media? Which are the using areas for social media? How is the relationship formed between social media and traditional media? In order to answer the research questions, a qualitative interview method has been chosen. Since the aim is to develop theories, the theoretical framework conducts previous research in political work and Internet, as well as theories such as the potential of Internet and the relationship between traditional media and political actors outside the government. The results of the essay show that the social potential and not the technical of social media is what really matters in the political campaigning. It’s about being social media, and not using social media. We will most certainly see similar patterns in other political parties as well as for newcomers in the political sphere