Social media polarization reflects shifting political alliances in Pakistan

TL;DR

This study analyzes Twitter data from Pakistan between 2018 and 2022 to reveal political polarization, shifting alliances, and increased opposition engagement, demonstrating social media's utility in tracking political dynamics in non-Western contexts.

Contribution

It provides a novel analysis of Pakistani political polarization and alliance shifts using Twitter data, highlighting social media's role in understanding non-Western political landscapes.

Findings

Opposition parties show robust Twitter engagement.

Audience alignment among opposition factions converges over time.

Politicians increasingly shift to opposition alliances.

Abstract

The rise of ideological divides in public discourse has received considerable attention in recent years. However, much of this research has been concentrated on Western democratic nations, leaving other regions largely unexplored. Here, we delve into the political landscape of Pakistan, a nation marked by intricate political dynamics and persistent turbulence. Spanning from 2018 to 2022, our analysis of Twitter data allows us to capture pivotal shifts and developments in Pakistan's political arena. By examining interactions and content generated by politicians affiliated with major political parties, we reveal a consistent and active presence of politicians on Twitter, with opposition parties exhibiting particularly robust engagement. We explore the alignment of party audiences, highlighting a notable convergence among opposition factions over time. Our analysis also uncovers significant shifts in political affiliations, including the transition of politicians to the opposition alliance. Quantitatively, we assess evolving interaction patterns, showcasing the prevalence of homophilic connections while identifying a growing interconnection among audiences of opposition parties. Our study, by accurately reflecting shifts in the political landscape, underscores the reliability of our methodology and social media data as a valuable tool for monitoring political polarization and providing a nuanced understanding of macro-level trends and individual-level transformations.