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Lectures: 9

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For too long pundits exaggerated the internet’s ability to drive democratic change. As tech-savvy youngsters in Tunisia and Egypt pushed aside their ageing despots, such lazy rhetoric grew louder still. It is hardly surprising that critics are hurrying to dissent. It is certainly true that the internet alone will not foment a revolution. Few have ever argued that it could. But the extent to which it can help, or even hinder, democratic movements remains hotly contested. And far from clarifying matters, dramatic events in the Arab world have fed both sides of the debate.

For the optimistic, unprecedented internet shutdowns in Egypt and elsewhere demonstrated every dictator’s fear of the web. In Wael Ghonim, the Google marketing manager whose anti-government Facebook pages led to incarceration and fame, Egyptian protestors found a convincing internet advocate. Without Facebook and Twitter, he announced to American audiences, their revolution “would never have happened”. Many believe that the Internet empowers people and helps the less fortunate and disenfranchised people to raise their voices and give their opinions. For example, during the Arab spring protestors were able to tell each other where and when to protest. In recent times, the internet has been able to reveal police brutality as seen in George Floyd’s case which was videoed and shared with millions. In short, the Internet is good for democracy. Or is it?

The role of the internet in many democracies has received a lot of attention in recent times. Supporters of the internet believe that the internet has the power to shape and restructure democracy. Many of the changes that we are seeing today are clearly contributing to a hollowing out, rather than strengthening, of democracy. In this unit explore the internet and how it plays a role in strengthening and weakening democracy.

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1
Internet Democracy: Basic Facts
35 minutes

Several rich governments have confirmed their belief that the internet promotes democracy, some more explicitly than others.


2
Internet Democracy: Basic Facts Quiz
5 questions

Quiz on Basic Facts of Internet Democracy

3
Internet Democracy: Known Issues
35 minutes

The internet allows us to skirt responsibilities and ignore barriers all too easily. Anyone can shout fire in our crowded digital theatre without fearing the consequences.


4
Internet Democracy: Known Issues Quiz
5 questions

Quiz on known issues of internet democracy

5
Internet Democracy: Possible Solutions
35 minutes

Uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia and across the Middle East and North Africa offer the most recent manifestation of the power of the use of the internet.


6
Internet Democracy: Possible Solutions Quiz
5 questions

Quiz on possible solutions to internet democracy

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1
Internet Democracy: Summary
5
2
Internet Democracy: Words to Know
10
3
Internet Democracy: Words to Know Quiz
5 questions

Quiz on vocabulary related to Internet Democracy

4
Internet Democracy: The Debate

Additional%20Resources

1
Internet Democracy: Video Links
35 minutes

Here are some videos to understand internet democracy and issues related to it.


2
Internet Democracy: Video Links Quiz
4 questions

Quiz on Internet Democracy videos

3
Internet Democracy: News Articles
10
4
Internet Democracy: Essay Question
15