Re-Interpreting Internet Activism: A Study of Its Relationship with the Nature of State Introduction

In his article “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted”, published in the New York Times on October 2010, Malcolm Gladwell looks closely into the notion of social change and the different means to achieve it. He makes a clear distinction between traditional activism, which implies sacrifices and physical devotion, and current activism, based on social networks. The writer considers that “social media can’t provide what social change has always required” (Gladwell, paragraph 1).

Also in Bryant Simon essay “Global Brands Contend with Appreciation for the Local” Simon argues that “global brands will erode national, regional and neighborhood distinctiveness.”(368) Ariela Garvett talks about internet democracy and social media and its potential. She focuses on the potential of worldwide social media and the amount of group power it can give.In Garvett essay “Tweets and Transitions: How the Arab Spring Reaffirms the Internet’s Democratizing Potential” she writes, “The Internet demonstrates the possibilities of change

Synthesis essay: why the revolution will not be tweeted Technology is being used all across the globe in everyday life. With the development of technology, the development of social media became very popular. In “Small Change: Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted”, Malcolm Gladwell stresses that “real” revolutions

To build his argument, he ties in similar examples from history that involve either social or political activism. Not only does he connect these examples to the “weak ties” that the platforms of social media are built upon, but he also offers insight to his readers, the general public, and social-networking gurus (Gladwell 551). In his essay, “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted”, Gladwell creates a rhetorically effective argument that illustrates why social networking is not an adequate way to conduct social or political activism.

3. Dynamic of horserace in Goals: clarity, watchdog, provide public with information, expose issues. “New” Age of Media Then: Magazines, newspaper, radio -Party pressers and penny pressers Now: Internet, blogs, you tube, podcast -We are now “apart” of the process - “Arab spring,” Egypt, Libya – young people want what we have, to be able to speak about things: Facebook

The internet is a powerful tool for activists, but can also be utilized by the other side by promoting propaganda and mobilizing their own supporters. Networking sites have revolutionized the way people activists approach revolutions. Moreover, the internet has connected people from across the world and has caused people in the states (like myself) to become invested in a civil war occurring in a part of the world I never knew existed. The internet has empowered and enabled people by connecting like-minded people, providing access to information, broadcasting events, and creating real connections between people. Alone, the internet is not enough to bring down an oppressive, authoritarian state; but when coupled with the power and will of the people, it can create real

Activism using the Internet and other new media is increasingly having an impact in broadening the scope of civic action in support of human rights in East Asia. Select one or two case studies of activism in ONE East Asian country studied in this course. With regard to your chosen case studies, how effective is online activism as a force for social change? How are government authorities responding to the challenge of internet activism?

In 1993, citizens still cursed out the web World-Wide-Web and afterward accommodatingly shortened it (W.W.W.) for newcomers. A considerable amount has changed since that year, when it started to first light on activists, agitators, and nerds that organized PCs could be utilized as devices for individual and gathering political activity.

Firstly, social network transmit democracy world-wide. The diffusion of the internet can effectively facilitate democracy. There is no surprise that the free information has spread by the internet, which encouraged freedom and provided the right to everybody to announce their voice. It goes without saying that internet provides a social

“Prosecution of child pornography” The law is already enforced against child pornography and it is implemented and enforced over the internet. 5. Social behaviour Further social study proves that “cyber porn” distributed psychological difficulties. This domain is causing problem in our society. At present there are more teenage single mums then ever before.

Never known for being a pillar of peace, the Middle East has always been rife with turmoil. However, in 2011 this turmoil was super-charged, as several nations experienced civil uprising. Citizens of Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman, mobilized, forming massive protests. Heads of state in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen were stripped of their powers and removed. Even more developed nations like Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Sudan experienced protests, albeit minor during the Arab Spring. (The National.AE, 2011) Objectives in each area varied, but civil liberties violations and economic grievances were primary concerns among protestors. What’s unique about the Arab Spring, is that activities and information was often shared between participants via social media. Cheers and encouragement were also doled out via social media by individuals and groups in other countries. (Kesselman, 2016 page 487)

As a logical consequence, Postmes and Brunsting (2002) reasoned that the Internet is changing society because people's cognitive processes, triggered by access to information and communication, replace the strong social ties that traditionally underpin committed activism. In simpler words, in the past, humanity used the herd instinct as the main driving force behind committed forms of activism. Thanks to the Internet, we climb another step or three on the evolutionary ladder, and simply do away with the herd instinct and replace it with reason. The argument, if put this way, does not sound particularly strong. What can be taken away is that social media is still evolving, that social media changes the way we – or most of us communicate, that social media is used in social and political activism, and that the Internet increases quantitative if not qualitative access to information.

The Arab Spring and its aftermath has become one of the most influential events of the twenty-first century. The series of revolutions reshaped several governments within the Middle East by outing long reigning dictators that the people had become progressively frustrated with. The Arab Spring both aligns with and contradicts several previous waves of revolution and is truly a twenty-first century conflict because of the role that modern technology played. Through studying the Arab Spring, political scientists have been given a glimpse into what future revolutions might look like, especially in regards to the expanding role of social media.

Case Analysis: Umbrella Revolution The Internet environment of Hong Kong is different from that in Mainland China in terms of freedom, including freedom of Internet access, freedom of speech and freedom of press. This freedom allows the Internet to play an important role in mobilizing Hong Kong people to engage in socio-political participation and facilitating the formation of civil society. The power of the Internet in influencing public policy was recognized since the movement against the Moral and National Education in 2012. In the review, Umbrella Revolution is used as an example to illustrate the relationship between the Internet and social movements.

Contemporary social movements such as Arab Spring and Kony 2012 use the Internet and social media as potential tools towards change. But why are some more successful than others. This paper argues that when news outlets see the potential for change, they “premediate” (Richard Grusin) its possibilities, and make that change ever more possible in their coverage. On the other hand, extant stories that are more reactionary do not get the same amount of new exposure, and remain static. In other words, our media - not just social media, but news organizations - play a great role in shaping current events. I will compare and contrast the unfolding of the Arab Spring story, and how little changed regarding Kony 2012, as cases in point.