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Essay: Social media’s historic political disruption
It is now clear that social media is a historic technology that is changing politics forever. It has destroyed the monopoly over the dissemination of ideas, connects like-minded people across borders and empowers political fringe groups. All this is making democracy increasingly unruly and difficult to maintain, but it also means brutal dictatorships dependent on repression are increasingly unlikely to survive.
Weighing the consequences of regulating internet giants
The United States stands at a regulatory crossroads as Congress debates whether to adopt European-style controls over the use of online personal data – or trust that Facebook, Google, and the like will respond voluntarily (and more efficiently than government) to their customers’ diverse and ever-changing privacy preferences. The wrong ...
Kadyrov’s gambit: deciphering the antics of Chechnya’s leader
As Russia sinks deeper into economic crisis, the political games being played in that country have become increasingly alarming and difficult to interpret. The latest is a series of pointed threats against the political opposition, issued by Ramzan Kadyrov, the hardline leader of Chechnya. What is Mr. Kadyrov playing at, ...
Geopolitics: Social media mobilises popular opinion but political change needs leaders
Various forms of social media have played vital roles in inspiring the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011. But are they enough to sustain popular uprisings – or are activists and leaders as vital as ever? This report examines the role of social media in mobilising popular opinion. Geopolitics: Social media ...
