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Tweeting Blame in a Federalist System: Attributions for Disaster Response in Social Media Following Hurricane Sandy

Author

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  • Kristine L. Canales
  • JoEllen V. Pope
  • Cherie D. Maestas

Abstract

Objective Attribution of responsibility for government performance in a federalist system is challenging but necessary for democratic accountability. We identify competing hypotheses for how attributions for government performance might arise in social media and test our expectations using data drawn from Twitter following Hurricane Sandy. Method We use a novel linguistic approach to measure blame attributions in text and compare patterns of blame attributions toward multiple levels of government over time. Results Social media blame attributions emerge at the outset of the storm and are more likely to center on federal actors, followed by local actors. State actors received the least blame. We find similar patterns in retweets. Conclusion Our results suggest that social media privileges attributions that target broadly salient national political actors; however, social media accounts of disaster may make it easier for the public to assess performance of local and state government.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristine L. Canales & JoEllen V. Pope & Cherie D. Maestas, 2019. "Tweeting Blame in a Federalist System: Attributions for Disaster Response in Social Media Following Hurricane Sandy," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(7), pages 2594-2606, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:100:y:2019:i:7:p:2594-2606
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12669
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    Cited by:

    1. Eunbin Chung & Inbok Rhee, 2022. "Disasters and intergroup peace in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 59(1), pages 58-72, January.
    2. Turgut Acikara & Bo Xia & Tan Yigitcanlar & Carol Hon, 2023. "Contribution of Social Media Analytics to Disaster Response Effectiveness: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-50, May.
    3. Seungil Yum, 2021. "The effects of Hurricane Dorian on spatial reactions and mobility," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(3), pages 2481-2497, February.

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