Redistribution and Recognition in Blog Discourse

This chapter examines the dynamics of representation between cultural and economic forms of gender inequality on Nigerian female blogs. Drawing on the study’s case studies, PMB’s position on his wife’ and ‘the rejection of the GEO Bill’—the chapter reveals a significant disparity in attitudes towards cultural and economic issues. Specifically, it demonstrates a widespread intolerance to cultural change within blog discussions, contrasted with a more favourable reception of issues related to economic redistribution. To address this complexity, I argue that gender equality advocacy in Nigeria should prioritise a redistributive approach, focusing initially on tackling economic inequalities. This strategy, however, must ultimately aim to integrate recognition, addressing cultural inequalities that intersect with economic disparities. By highlighting the primacy of redistributive politics within Nigerian blog discourse, the chapter contests the global narrative that identity politics is supplanting redistribution on the political agenda. Instead, it emphasises the interconnectedness of these dimensions and the need for a balanced approach to advocacy. This analysis contributes to media studies and gender research by offering rare insights into the interplay between cultural and economic dimensions of gender inequality within an online discursive context. It demonstrates how blogs serve as platforms for negotiating these tensions, enriching our understanding of the practical connections between redistribution and recognition in digital spaces.