Influencers, Online Alliances and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe: #Balkans [Hardcover]

Introduction??1. From Transitional Justice to Hashtag Strategies: Reconciliation Projects in Former Yugoslavia and Beyond??2. Transnationalism and Influencer Marketing as Informal Reconciliation??3. #Balkan: A Topological, Cultural, and Algorithmic Signifier??4. Exploring the Commodification of Balkan Stereotypes and Identity Reconstruction on YouTube and TikTok??5. Precarious Play Labour: Self-Commodification Strategies of Balkan Influencers??6. Its Complicated: The Relationship of Balkan Influencers with Platform Algorithms??7. The Quiet Peacebuilders: Hidden Reconciliation Practices on Social Media??8. Policy Recommendations??9. Conclusion

This book explores social media's role in fostering reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia, a region still grappling with unresolved conflicts and ethnic divides. Aimed at students in digital media studies, and peace studies, this book will also be relevant to those interested in the intersection of technology and social change.

This is an original and innovative book. It explores how influencers,? through their online activism and new technologies, potentially promote reconciliation in the Balkans. By referring to a still unusual amount of sources, the author broadens the public sphere analysis to an algorithmic citizenship , targeting platform communities and paving the way for further investigations about suggested, stimulating strategies of new networks of tools and narratives. ?-?Stefano Bianchini,?University of Bologna, Italy

This book explores the transformative role of social media in fostering reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia, a region still grappling with unresolved conflicts and ethnic divides. Focusing on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, it highlights how Balkan influencers blend personal storytelling with commercial outreach to promote interethnic understanding. The study employs digital ethnography andlSÆ