SUBJECTIVITY, POWER, AND WOMEN’S POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN THE BELARUSIAN DIGITAL SOCIETY

Abstract

This article explores the intricate relationship between women’s political activism and power dynamics in patriarchal societies. Using the context of Belarus as a case study, the article delves into the profound impacts of digital media on women’s political participation. The first part draws from Foucault’s notion of power as tangible, present in relationships, and influencing subject formation. Butler’s insights into attachment, submission, and power relationships further elucidate the intricate interplay between power and subjectivity. The second part examines the contrasting models of the internet’s effect on protest movements proposed by Tufekci. Through the lens of the Belarusian protests, it becomes evident that digital tools aid in activism but might not always achieve long-term goals. This article, from a scientific perspective, explores the phenomenon of digital activism, referring to the example of its effective use within the context of the Belarusian women’s protests in 2020. Additionally, the article draws attention to the transience of this effectiveness and seeks methods of engaging with it.