5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

E-citizenship is not a new concept in political sociology. It has been the subject of several theoretical reflections. Most authors seek to explain the theoretical and empirical links between the expansion of political uses of the Internet and the transformations of democracy. Some also focus on the digital activities of political parties. However, some studies also see e-citizenship as a technological and democratic tool that makes minority citizens more visible. The latter are said to have found in online technologies and media a political opportunity that has an impact on their forms of participation. The proliferation of online forums and spaces where emigrant and immigrant citizens can express themselves in the public and private spheres has led to the development of numerous studies on transnationalism. However, little is known about digital democracy and the conditions under which the political behavior of online diasporas emerges. Taking a socio-historical, cultural and political approach, this session posits that citizenship is as old as the migration of Africans to Europe and the West, and that transnational political participation precedes online political activism. The questions addressed in this session are

Why and how do African diasporas engage online? Can it be argued that their engagement is culturally and politically specific? We welcome papers and presentations that focus on empirical cases and reflect concrete situations and experiences. Papers can be submitted in French or English.