Networks in a Revolution

The role of online social networks in a political revolution has been discussed at length for some time, and my opinion about the subject has changed several times. Following the reading of the Small Change article by Malcolm Gladwell I had a pretty pessimistic view of the potential of sites like Facebook and Twitter in rallying people together to carry out a revolution. Gladwell states that the organizational structure of an online network is mainly horizontal, as opposed to the vertically aligned hierarchical structure of past revolutions, such as the Civil Rights Movement. His basic argument was that with a hierarchically organized structure, a revolution can take its direction from a few central leaders, while delegating work to individuals devoted to the cause. This ability is juxtaposed by the apparent lack of direction in horizontal network based organizations. Gladwell also cites the vulnerability of outside influence as a major threat to resistance movements beginning online.

We see quite the opposite effect in the Egyptian Chronicles Blog online, however. Only viewing this webpage, combined with the apparent use of Facebook and Twitter in starting the Arab Springs Revolutions in early 2011, one gains the idea that social networks are actually quite a useful tool in organizing a revolution. If we analyze the circumstances surrounding the Arab Springs Revolutions, however, we see governments with limited internet presence being toppled by modern internet-based resistance groups. The main reason I do not believe such a revolution would be entirely possible in the United States is because our government is more technologically capable. In fact, cybersecurity measures have been taken to "keep the internet safe" and protect government information online. These security measures would no doubt easily be able to infiltrate and corrupt any sort of resistance movement beginning online.

When discussing the ability of social networks to host an organized socially based revolution, one has to take into account the government's ability to wage cyber warfare. In less technologically comfortable nations, such as those in the Middle East, network based revolutions are more effective than those attempted in more technologically developed countries such as the USA.