Social Media and Public Opinion in a Capitalism-Led Society: A Study of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to shed light on the effect of social media in shaping public opinion in communities that are ruled by capitalists, as represented by the Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen in his “An Enemy of the People.” Through a profound reading of the play, this paper aims to reflect how those who have different opinions from those of the authorities are liable to persecution and oppression. The paper also investigates the ways through which the capitalists manipulate power and authority to shape public opinion through press/ social media to serve their purposes and interests. The present study concludes that capitalism exerts an obvious effect on people and reflects that the majority’s opinion is so absolute to the extent that any other opinion is intolerable.  It also shows that people are affected by the capitalist nature of the society. Public opinions are manufactured according to the consent of the majority in the society. Social media plays a major role in creating opinions and nurturing them. Instead of being an altruistic, positive force, social media exposes itself as an authority purveyor of lies. It functions as a full-time patrol to persuade the people to succumb to the majority as the only refuge for a peaceful life. Therefore, any hope for a dignified life in a community where individual freedom and individuality are respected becomes a far-fetched pursuit.