Social Media, Political Violence and Public Administration: An Impetus for Healing, Love and Joy

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, Moses Reynoso Colin & Kamille Stevens
November 8, 2024

As a discipline, public administration continues to evolve and any evolution brings with it struggle, strife and uncertainty. Our nation is rooted in the struggle for freedom and for many of us, the struggle continues. For those of us who have been racialized and marginalized by oppressive systems, our passion for working in the public sector is born out of our desire to make this country better. In this regard, we imagine and desire to live in a society where we can be accepted, loved and valued for who we are.

The challenge for many of us is discovering how we, as public service professionals, work in the best interest of our constituents in light of increasing political and social divides that challenge the values we hold true. Recent political actions and the overarching social climate have contributed to a return to the past when women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ folks and others were marginalized and othered by systems that failed to recognize them in their full humanity. Efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the overturning of Roe and divisive concepts bills strike at the core of everything we know to be true about public service. It is the charge of public service personnel to serve our constituents equally, while recognizing that not everyone arrives in the same condition with the same attributes, benefits, access and opportunities. We recognize that as full citizens, we should have every right to make decisions about our bodies and how we live our lives, in accordance with the words enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, which include “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Yet, we are influenced by a social and political climate that has created a tension between our public service values and the collective ideals our society struggles to espouse.

The Downside of Social Media

The intersection between social media and the public sphere dates back to the early 2000’s when the Howard Dean (former Vermont governor) campaign began using social media (Meetup.com) as a part of Dean’s 2004 bid for US President. Current political campaigns and elected officials rely heavily on social media for actively engaging with the public on many fronts. Federal, state and local governments use social media during natural disasters, other emergencies and engaging with their constituents.

The downside of social media is the spread of misinformation, disinformation and the subsequent threat of political violence. The inherent challenge with social media relates to algorithms that can push inflammatory, divisive and extremist content, provoking strong emotional reactions through tactics such as fear-mongering and rage batting. False information and conspiracy theories about political events foster distrust in political institutions, vilify certain groups and create a sense of urgency that could lead individuals to justify or commit violent acts. The veil of social media’s anonymity contributes to a space where individuals can express extreme opinions or threats often with limited consequences. As such, social media is a consequential tool with very real risks for individuals, communities, the nation and the world.

Political Violence

There is an inextricable link between social media and political violence. In recent years, there has been an increase in violent political rhetoric and personal threats to elected officials. While more than half (54 percent) of U.S. adults state they get their news from social media, 64 percent believe social media is bad for democracy and 69 percent say the social media contributes to incivility in the way people engage around politics. These patterns of use and belief serve as the basis for a real fear for governments, as individuals and groups can become radicalized without leaving their home. Political violence can contribute to a crisis of confidence in governments, law enforcement and democratic systems. When social media-fueled violence occurs, the public may question the government’s ability to maintain order and protect its citizens. Responding to the growing threat of political violence will take more than policy actions, but a shift in the perspectives and beliefs of the people. Individuals must have confidence and trust enough to rely on governments—to not just support their individual beliefs and ideologies, but—to protect the rights and freedoms of all of its citizens.

Healing, Love, and Joy

Bridging social and political devices warrants public sector personnel who understand their role and are driven by an intrinsic desire to make the world a better place. In doing so, recognizing that acknowledging the role harm, trauma and injustice have played throughout our history is an imperative. Beyond that, finding the capacity to love those—including individuals who have different moral, ethical and political views—is essential to moving the nation forward, not backwards. Caring for others in a way that honors and values them in their full humanity contributes to an undercurrent of love that unleashes the power of joy. While these may seem nascent concepts in public administration, they have long roots in policy actions and administration. The unfortunate reality is that in working towards neutrality and objectivity, these concepts are often left out of public administration education. Yet, we must find the wherewithal to center healing, love, and joy for the true prosperity of this nation.

As a nation, we do not have the privilege of sitting idly by while deep political and social positioning rips at the soul of the country. For those of us who have committed our careers or starting our careers in public service, we must find the will to recognize we are one nation and our success depends on the survival and thriving of everyone. Our North Star, our center, our core, must be radical love and care for our fellow humans.

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Author: Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, Ph.D., RN, is a Professor and Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Washington Bothell. Her research interests include health equity, critical consciousness, and the social determinants of health. Dr. Lopez-Littleton may be reached at [email protected], DrVLoLil.Com or @DrVLoLil

Author: Moses Reynoso Colin is a senior in the Collaborative Health and Human Services (CHHS) major with a concentration in Public Administration, attending Cal State Monterey Bay. Reynoso has an interest in policies that affect underrepresented communities as well as social justice. Reynoso Colin can be contacted at [email protected].

Author: Kamille Stevens is a senior student at Cal State Monterey Bay, majoring in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. Her interests include solutions for homelessness and reducing forced displacement as a result of gentrification. Stevens may be reached at [email protected]. 

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