Expressing Criticism, Emotionality, and Community In the Spanish Socioeconomic Crisis

Abstract

This paper explores the cultural ideologies underlying the pervasive critical social movement that has arisen from the contemporary socioeconomic crisis in Spain. Interviews and chat room responses to crisis related newspaper articles provided the material for a case study utilizing ethnographic methods. The following research questions aim to unveil pervasive cultural ideologies: what are the particular meanings and functions of criticism and protest for Spanish people during a time of civil unrest and socioeconomic crisis? What role do new media/social media play in the facilitation or inhibition of this critical protest language in Spain?