Multitude and Democracy: A Social Network Analysis of the Korean Candlelight Vigils and National Flag Rallies

Abstract

This study revisits the concept of multitude analyzed by Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, based on a case study of candlelight vigils and national flag rallies in South Korea (Republic of Korea), and questions whether mass mobilization similar to multitude always contributes to democracy. Since the 2000s, candlelight vigils have been regarded as an excellent example of multitude in Korean politics. The social media-based demonstrations were impactful, particularly in 2017 when these vigils led to the impeachment of the former President. However, the positive outlook was seriously undermined when the pro-authoritarian national flag rallies against the impeachment were also based on Internet-based mobilization. This paper adopts social network analysis that will show the forms of the candlelight vigils and the national flag rallies. In particular, it will explore the structural similarities and differences between the two sorts of mobilization by measuring the YouTube networks of both rallies. Finally, this study concludes that Internet social networks on their own do not guarantee the development of democracy and multitude-like rallies on social media do not necessarily promote democracy. This analysis will contribute to the further discussion of emotional mobilization and the possibilities of network politics, while broadening the theoretical approaches of Hardt and Negri.