The New Front of the Epistemological War: Digital Radicalization Dynamics and Humor Strategies of the Far-Right

Authors : Mert Can Atar

Pages : 297-322

Doi:10.5824/ajite.2025.04.002.x

View : 216 | Download : 2352

Publication Date : 2025-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explores how digital media environments have transformed far-right ideologies by integrating memetic communication, algorithmic amplification, and decentralized networks. Drawing on Cass Sunstein’s theory of radicalization and Manuel Castells’ network society framework, the study demonstrates that humor—especially in the form of memes—functions as an epistemological weapon, blurring the line between truth and fiction and facilitating the normalization of extremist discourse. Encrypted platforms such as Telegram enable the reproduction of echo chambers, reinforcing ideological isolation and fostering transnational coordination without centralized authority. Far-right actors strategically use irony, satire, and visual culture to disseminate exclusionary narratives, especially targeting younger audiences. Social media algorithms intensify this process by promoting emotionally charged content, thus reinforcing ideological bubbles. The study employs a qualitative methodology based on literature review and conceptual analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of digital radicalization mechanisms. It concludes that far-right digital strategies pose a profound threat to democratic discourse by reshaping how individuals perceive truth, identity, and political participation. To counter this, systemic responses must include algorithmic transparency, ethical platform governance, and investment in digital literacy to promote epistemic resilience. The research contributes to the broader understanding of how ideology and technology intersect in the age of digitally mediated extremism.
Keywords : Aşırı Sağ, Dijital Radikalleşme, Mizah, Algoritmalar, Meme Kültürü.

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