“Birds of a Feather Flock Together” : Bipolarity, Homophily and Intra-Party Communication Degree of Polish MPs on Twitter
- Institution: University of Lower Silesia
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7211-147X
- Institution: University of Wrocław
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2916-4159
- Year of publication: 2021
- Source: Show
- Pages: 7-28
- DOI Address: https://doi.org/10.15804/athena.2021.72.01
- PDF: apsp/72/apsp7201.pdf
Since the contemporary public sphere has largely moved online, Twitter has become the leading platform of political debate. Potentially harmful echo spheres, selective exposure and social media filter bubbles that limit individuals to their own opinions can be especially alarming when it concerns politicians. This paper aims to investigate the degree of homophily among Polish MPs, simultaneously indicating the way politicians form follower communication structures. The analysis of the data gathered from Twitter revealed observable elements of polarization at the political affiliation level, although the level of parliament chambers was found meaningless in that case. The Polish political Twittersphere is dominated by the two biggest parties, accurately reflecting parliament composition. The use of communication structure is examined throughout this paper, ultimately confirming the homophilic behavior of specific politicians’ groups, especially in terms of mutual communication and its effectiveness.