Memetic frameworks in the 2016 presidential election.

Memes rose to mainstream prominence as tools for political influence during the 2016 presidential election. This thesis will analyze the most prominent memes deployed during that time to evaluate their effectiveness. Using an approach that draws upon the works of Jean Baudrillard, this piece will construct a framework for demarcating particular forms and tactics in memetic engagement that have the highest propensity for circulation. Coupled with research regarding compatibility of political ideology with a memetic deployment, this thesis will describe why certain memes gained more traction than others. In doing so this thesis will point to avenues for future development of political memetic strategies and their saliency with disparate ideological groups that may wish to deploy them.