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Social media is becoming an increasingly powerful political tool. People are using Facebook to express their opinions on politics and to reach out to policymakers, says David Kirkpatrick, technology journalist and author of an upcoming book on Facebook, the most used social network by worldwide monthly active users.

According to Kirkpatrick there needs to be a change in attitude to realize that we have the ability, through social media, to create a global government. Facebook can empower citizens to form their own political parties.

“Governments are starting to realize that they don’t have any choice but to respond to what is happening in social media and on the internet.”

In Canada, the Facebook group “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament” has launched a successful grassroots campaign with over 220,000 members to voice their unrest over Prime Minister Harper’s decision to suspend Parliament until after the Olympic games.

David Kirkpatrick, longtime senior editor for internet and technology at Fortune Magazine, has written for two decades about the computer and technology industries, as well as the impact of the Internet on business and society. His book, entitled "The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World" will be published by Simon & Schuster in the US June 15, 2010. David Kirkpatrick maintains a blog at facebook.com/thefacebookeffect.

This interview was recorded by Joerg Wolf, Editor-in-Chief of atlantic-community.org, at the DLD Conference in Munich on January 25, 2010.

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• Interview with Claudia Gonzalez: UNHCR- Tweets from the Edge
• Eimear O'Casey: Canadian Elections- Example of Democracy at its Worst
  

February 3, 2010

Member deleted

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I like this comment! What's this?

It has long been agreed to it that media has an influence on policy making which would be never wise to disregard.

Nowadays may it be a valid assumption that common men can also influence policy making when and if some of their thought-povoking ideas find some venues to reach other men through the media somehow?

I think it may true to some limited degree in the same way the media in general can be influential on the direction of flow of events. The main reason for this is that written words have much greater impact on other men than spoken words especially if they are published by 3rd parties.

Thanks,
Mustafa

Tags: | | social media | facebook | Canada | |

February 3, 2010

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I like this comment! What's this?

Exciting idea of a global government, demonstrating a changing world by the internet, open and transparent.

Unimaginable before, but it's a good start.

February 3, 2010

Juliette Dixon, Science Po Lille, Gold Contributor (118)

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Thank you for these thoughtful comments.

First, I do agree with you, Facebook enabling global government to arise is a thrilling idea. But in the current situation, Facebook remains a platform very much focused on national borders and national issues only. Have a quick look at the nationality of your own friends, Facebook is based on binding communities, and these communities are still national. We are therefore far from "eroding barriers on nationalism."

Second, I beg to differ with Mr. Kirkpatrick's statement of Facebook being the ultimate platform for protest, or providing viable capacities of this network.
You can join groups of course, but that is just another form of "soft political commitment". Clicking on a link does not turn you into a real protester. Few real actions are being taken afterwards. Moreover you can express your excitement about something by "liking", but there is no such "dislike" option.

Third, Facebook is a great platform to organize very short term "protests": they spread and grow fast, and fade away as quickly. Facebook is an amazing tool to organize happenings or very short-term events.

Social media will definitely take the lead in designing political communication as opposed to sustainable political commitment. Facebook is another aspect political activism, but the word "revolution" in the title is, to my mind a bit of an overstatement.

February 4, 2010

Greg Randolph Lawson, Wikistrat, Platinum Contributor (522)

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As someone who works in communications, I would wholeheartedly agree that the new social networking medium like Facebook and Twitter does have impact. Indeed, I am in the middle of a Facebook campaign that may well change a particular corporate policy due to protests by many potential customers.

That said, I do not think of Facebook or any social netowrking tool is a way to foster truly global governance. In many ways, social networking does the opposite by creating networked groups of like minded activists that band together over cyberspace despite significant geographical distances. This can bring about disunity every bit as easily as unity.

Additionally, as the poster above makes clear, while social networking can facilitate protests and make clear the anger of various groups, it still requires real physical action outside cyberspace to be meaningful. If someone threatens a boycott, then they need to adhere to it in the real world. If someone threatens a demonstration, they need to go physically to one.

Its easy to talk big online, tougher to act in reality. This is especially the case with political situations where actually acting can put one in physical harm's way, not just in the line of fire for a harsh instant message or Facebook Wall post.

February 5, 2010

Marc William Zedler, Alumni Touro College Berlin, Gold Contributor (79)

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Having social networking medium as a form of political communication is an interesting and fascinating concept but, I feel there is still a long way to go in order for social networking (SN) platforms to have a sustained and significant politically impact. As Juliette correctly stated they raise and fall very quickly.

Another important factor to take into consideration is that many who interact on facebook or such sites do not take it as seriously. I would not go to facebook for an actual political debate, that's what Atlantic-community is there for. ;-)

The point that I want to make is users expect a casual interactive process, until there is some substantive changes in perception the site it will generally (there are exceptions) be used for creating social events.

Nonetheless, what makes facebook so appealing is the fact that its become international and is the central hub for users. Everyone wants to be on this one platform thus, allowing easy communication and activity à la network effect.

At the current state I see SN sites a way to spread the word about a cause or topic but for intensive organizational measures that is left to professionals. But, who knows how this could change in the coming years...

Tags: | social network | Iran |

January 16, 2012

Talha Bin Tariq, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan, Gold Contributor (102)

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In my opinion that Social Media has now started playing a vital or i would say a key role in bringing youth and political revolution in different countries like recently happened in Middle East .



Regards,
Talha Bin Tariq

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