Constructed identities: New social movements and computer-mediated communication in the Middle East

International communications is an important component of the international system at the dawn of the 21st century. This dissertation examines information technology as a means of political activism among new social movements in the Middle East. I am interested in examining the socio-economic and socio-political factors that make modern information technology a useful and viable tool for political and social movements in dealing with state policies. The rigid control of the traditional media by the state in the Middle East has forced social movements in the region to work as expatriate movements based outside the region. By locating themselves outside the rigid control of Middle Eastern states, these social movements are internationalizing their disagreements with the state. They benefit from more liberal laws and greater freedom. The importance of international communication cannot be, but often is, overlooked in the literature. This dissertation addresses the changing nature of social movement and media relations in an increasingly international context. The emphasis is on how the social movements use the new media technologies to construct particular identities to reach a broader audience, promote their agenda(s), recruit new members, and raise funds.