♠ Posted by Emmanuel in Internet Governance,Middle East
at 11/20/2011 04:40:00 PM
The self-styled American digerati has me ROFL even more now with their belief about the central importance of digital media in the Arab Spring events. A few days ago, we gathered that Egypt was in many ways worse off economically now than under President Mubarak. For, without a figure to provide basic law and order, the result would be what it is at present-chaotic. From today's headlines, we now gather that they're back in Tahrir Square. With civilians getting shot once more, we've seen this movie before.So far, what can we reasonably deduce?
- Digital technologies are mere communication tools, not instruments for lasting change or even "revolution" as some hype it to be;
- Mob rule with people taking to the streets time and again is still mob rule even when using Twitter etc. to gather. It's inimical to establishing order;
- Hence, exporting these technologies in the belief that it would promote freedom and economic growth is far-fetched. Take Egypt with its resulting reversion to military rule, endless protests and continuous credit downgrades;
- Insofar as we haven't yet left the Westphalian system as far as I can tell, states should be left alone to determine their policies regarding these technologies--just as the United States is busy trying to prosecute WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for leaking US diplomatic cables;
- Fair is fair: China should be left alone as unpalatable as its policies towards the Internet may be to some white people. National laws regarding non-intervention and non-interference with regard to media--whether they be those of the US or China--still have validity in a bordered world.
