Professor Chenowith's talk sounds like it was really interesting! Did she say anything about how evolving technology has affected civil resistance movements? I remember reading that social media played a huge part in uniting Egyptians throughout the beginning of this year. I am curious to know about the effect that this newly found connectivity has on the unity of people trying to revolutionize the world in which they live.
---Caroline
Yes, she talked briefly on how technology has affected modern revolutions and movements. In Egypt and some other movements in the "Arab Spring" social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter helped spread information about times and locations of protest gatherings. A bit of information she discussed that I found really interesting was how social media has helped protesters in recent movements, but that it might not be so successful in the future. Governments are starting to catch on and are now cleverly using this to their advantage - for example, by creating a Facebook page with false information that says when and where people will protest, and then arresting everyone who shows up. Also, the government has the power and resources to cut off the Internet and cell phone service, as in Egypt (although if they do this it can backfire because people become even angrier). So while technology has played a significant role in recent movements, it may not prove to be so effective in the long run.
ReplyDeleteAlana and Caroline,
ReplyDeleteGood points. And of course, we must remember that changes in media technology have always produced changes in the balance of power between rulers and ruled. Benedict Anderson goes so far as to argue that booksellers were among Europe's first insurgents :-) Here's a good review of social media and revolution through the ages:
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67038/clay-shirky/the-political-power-of-social-media
AU has a subscription to Foreign Affairs, so it's possible to get that article in pdf form; but anyone who has difficulty should feel free to email me, and I'll send them a copy.