Exporting Revolutions in Social Media

Was Facebook the key driver that sparked revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. Not likely. The social network, like Twitter, certainly played a pivotal role, of that there is little doubt. When the Web was mostly shut off in Egypt, mobile networks generally remained and people switched to alternate means; faxes and calling via landline to connections outside the country, who then reported via social networks.

Social technologies via the Web are enabling citizens to engage directly in the dialogue of governance. An issue developed nations are struggling to contend with and now arguably, one that has helped topple dictatorships. Such unrest in the Global North is unlikely to take on the scale and demands seen in Egypt and Libya, but there will be some unrest. Already we have seen a glimmer in Wisconsin, of all places.

Could that be the first sign of the export of revolutions? Arguably, it is fragile states that have shown the West how to use social technologies to drive change in governance and civil society. The uses of the tools in the Global North have been, so far, very much at the local level – small petitions and tools to create awareness about potholes their city isn’t fixing. That could change.

Citizens in Western nations have much more to lose by toppling governments than they did in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Thankfully, we enjoy much more stability, hence use of social technologies has been largely in the area of entertainment rather than political or societal change issues. Most revolutions come from the middle class and in Western nations, the middle class is increasingly restless; just as it was in Egypt and Libya. As food prices and the cost of energy continue to rise, this will put added pressure on the middle classes in Western nations. No doubt there is yet more unrest to come in the Middle East.

One interesting aspect of the unrest in the Middle East is that it is not religiously motivated as it has been before. This certainly puts a nice damper on the aspirations of  al Quaeda and is a significant statement to the Ayatollah’s in Iran. Their spouting of a promised land has failed to materialize in 30+ years. This unrest is a desire for voice in the governance of their affairs. Social technologies are key; for these citizens of the middle east have seen the freedoms we enjoy in the West and the benefits of a capitalist society (maybe not perfect, but better than autocratic rule by far.) The middle classes in the West may then start to look at organizing through social technologies for more than just to help them get potholes fixed faster.