Noise againt the dictatorship: Battle for symbolic representation

Abstract

In this paper, we approach the process of (political) representation from the perspective of symbols as subjects of representation. Focusing on the protest Noise against the Dictatorship held in Serbia in spring 2020, we explore how symbols can become representatives, how their meanings are created and re-created, and how these processes affect the identity construction of the constituencies, of us and the Others. In contrast to the traditional political science understandings of symbolic representation as static and passive, the paper shows that the meanings of symbols are dynamic and constantly challenged, that they arise and change as a result of the relations of power, persuasion and contestation. We analysed symbolic representation during citizens? protests by conducting the representative claims analysis of the media coverage of the protest using the data collected in the leading daily and weekly newspapers in the period from April 24th to May 8th, 2020. The paper aims to contribute to the more recent literature on representation that understands political representation as a dynamic and relational activity, which takes place not only in the formal representative institutions but also in civil society.