A new paradigm for thinking about phenomena generated by the digital revolution? Review of the book “Propagations”
Texte intégral
- 1 Dominique Boullier (2023), « Propagations. Un nouveau paradigme pour les sciences sociales », Colle (...)
- 2 https://www.boullier.bzh/
1After seven years of research, Dominique Boullier has produced a remarkable book1. Exploring the richness of a propagation approach in various fields relevant to the social sciences, he presents a general picture of the social sciences in an innovative approach that seems relevant to us, particularly in the context of social networks. This is done through three perspectives: structures, individual preferences and propagation2.
2In the first part, the author explores examples of propagation, analyzed by science but often neglected by the social sciences, such as viruses, objects, culture, value, rumors, “fake news” and crowd movements. For each example of propagation, the author mobilizes scientific literature that is sometimes far removed from those usually mobilized in sociology or political science. Several chapters attempt to lay the foundations of a “social theory of propagation,” drawing on a variety of theories: epidemiology (for viruses), Darwinian evolutionary theory (applied to cultural propagation), Freudian desire theory (for financial crises), ethology (demonstrations and crowd movements).
3The second part examines the impact of the digital age on the study of propagation, focusing on Twitter as a laboratory for the analysis of digital propagation. Several chapters address the tracing, calculation and modeling methodologies offered by this social network, as well as its influence on public space, notably by imposing a “new rhythm”.
4The third part presents the propagation paradigm that the author wishes to establish. He traces the history of quantification in the social sciences, identifying two periods corresponding to the first two “points of view” of the social sciences: one attributes to “society” a power to act on individuals (Émile Durkheim), and the other relies on individuals (Gallup and Lazarsfeld). Boullier proposes a third point of view, through the consideration of propagation, which offers a new raw material for examination, distinct from society and opinion. This third point of view relies on a new apparatus of evidence: the digital traces of the major platforms of digital financial capitalism. The author insists that the three points of view are complementary. The point of view on propagation is not intended to replace the first two.
5Boullier asserts that the aim is to lay the foundations for a convention that will enable the emergence of a social theory and an object of study—propagation, a new raw material worthy of in-depth examination. In the age of widespread digital networks, we are seeing the emergence of a third way of quantifying the social as a process of propagation, not reducible to society (censuses) or opinion (polls).
- 3 Julien Boyadjian (2024), « Compte-rendu. Dominique Boullier, Propagations. Un nouveau paradigme pou (...)
6After reading this book, several points of discussion remain open3. The author evokes a “social theory” of propagation, without clearly defining its specific features. What added value do the social sciences bring to propagation, compared with epidemiology, for example? Should the sociologist concentrate on a description of propagation without questioning their causes or their social consequences?
7This ambitious work paves the way for the instruction of a new paradigm for the social sciences. The author has the merit of opening up a necessary and welcome scientific debate as to how the social sciences can and should study digital phenomena.
Notes
1 Dominique Boullier (2023), « Propagations. Un nouveau paradigme pour les sciences sociales », Collection U, Armand Colin, 320 p., Dunod Éditeur, Malakoff.
2 https://www.boullier.bzh/
3 Julien Boyadjian (2024), « Compte-rendu. Dominique Boullier, Propagations. Un nouveau paradigme pour les sciences sociales ». Sociologie, volume 15, 2024/4, pages 479 à 481, Presses Universitaires de France. https://shs.cairn.info/revue-sociologie-2024-4-page-479?lang=fr.
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Référence électronique
Henry Bakis, « A new paradigm for thinking about phenomena generated by the digital revolution? Review of the book “Propagations” », Netcom [En ligne], 39-1/2 | 2025, mis en ligne le 22 mai 2025, consulté le 15 mai 2026. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/netcom/9499 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/140es
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