Social Media as a Tool of Political Changes: Opportunities and Limitations
The article considers the role and significance of the Internet and social media in the emergence and development of political and civil movements, including revolutions. The experience of the “Arab spring”, the Occupy Wall Street movement and the political protest in Russia for the last seven years are analyzed. Contrary to a popular belief, social media had not been the main driver of the revolutions and coups for the last decade. Even in the countries with an expanded Internet, protests and media activities may not be connected. The whole dynamics of coups and revolutions was dying the last 45 years. Because of serious reasons the influence of social media in political and civic movements will only increase over time. However, ultimately the outcome of political battles will be decided on the ground, and not in the virtual space