Algorithmic Descent: Political Consequences of Insecure Masculinity & the Manosphere

Abstract

Recent developments in popularity of online communities known as the “manosphere” have become politically significant due to its engagement of straight young white men in the United States. This demographic has shifted its voting patterns to support Donald Trump and his administration in recent elections, including Trump’s presidential elections in 2016 and 2024. The growth of the manosphere has been a subject of concern due to the proliferation of misogynistic, racist, and antisemitic attitudes and beliefs, resulting in violent actions taken by radicalized individuals against women and racial minorities. The following research aims to connect literature on hegemonic masculinity and its necessary components for straight young white men, the disconnect between expected and current socioeconomic standing for these young men, and their subsequent reactions with the landscape of the manosphere and the key actors and danger narratives within it. An experiment conducted for this project illustrates the experience of entering the manosphere through the social media platforms Instagram and YouTube as a straight young white man in the United States. The thesis explores the political relationship between the Trump Administration, the manosphere, and straight young white men, and concludes with policy implications and recommendations for deradicalizing young men from the manosphere and its hateful and dangerous content.