DIGITAL POWER AND POLITICS
FIRST ARTICLE COMMENTED ON FOR THE TFG
TOPIC: DIGITAL POWER IN POLITICAL CHANGES
Commented article that will serve as a basis for establishing the objectives of the TFG and
selecting bibliographic sources:
http://nuso.org/media/articles/downloads/3800_1.pdf
Arab Uprisings in Times of Digital Transition. Myths and Realities
A) SYNTHETIC DESCRIPTION
This is an article belonging to Issue No. 235 of the magazine Nueva Sociedad. In it, its
author, Yves González-Quijano, reflects on the movement known as the “Arab Spring” and
its influence on social networks. The concept of the “Arab Spring” refers to the
demonstrations that took place in the Arab world between 2010 and 2013.
These popular demonstrations were organized by the Arab population in defense of
democracy and social rights. According to González-Quijano, these demonstrations by the
Arab people gave rise to different analyses and interpretations concerning the influence of
social networks on the formation of anti-dictatorial movements.
After this brief description of the article, a critical commentary on it follows. This
commentary interprets the observations made by González-Quijano and reflects on them.
B) PERSONAL CRITICAL COMMENTARY
It is a reality that new generations will participate in social struggles through the internet.
This is a form of digital social activism, which the author of the article refers to using the
term “digital natives”. The presence of social activism online is strengthened by
communication established through social networks. The ability of networks to disseminate
information is proportional to the number of “digital natives” present on them.
This process of communication and information dissemination is strengthened by the
coexistence of different media outlets that work together. One example is the collaboration
between television networks such as Al Jazeera and social networks. According to the
author, it was precisely this collaboration that helped disseminate the news of the Arab
democratic revolution so powerfully.
In González-Quijano’s reflection on the concept of the “Arab Spring”, he argues that the
term used to name this movement can lead us to possible misconceptions. To this end, he
provides a historical and geographical overview of the democratic movement in question.
Thus, the author encourages the reader to reflect on the misleading comparison that can
be made between the recent “Arab Spring” and the movement known as the “Springtime of
the Peoples” of 1848.
On the other hand, despite the geographical diversity underlying the term “Arab Spring”,
the author discusses all the aspects these movements have in common, which in turn
constitute the direct reason why they are grouped under the same name: “Arab Spring”.
Among all these common aspects, however, González-Quijano highlights the role played by
these demonstrations on social networks.
FIRST ARTICLE COMMENTED ON FOR THE TFG
TOPIC: DIGITAL POWER IN POLITICAL CHANGES
Commented article that will serve as a basis for establishing the objectives of the TFG and
selecting bibliographic sources:
http://nuso.org/media/articles/downloads/3800_1.pdf
Arab Uprisings in Times of Digital Transition. Myths and Realities
A) SYNTHETIC DESCRIPTION
This is an article belonging to Issue No. 235 of the magazine Nueva Sociedad. In it, its
author, Yves González-Quijano, reflects on the movement known as the “Arab Spring” and
its influence on social networks. The concept of the “Arab Spring” refers to the
demonstrations that took place in the Arab world between 2010 and 2013.
These popular demonstrations were organized by the Arab population in defense of
democracy and social rights. According to González-Quijano, these demonstrations by the
Arab people gave rise to different analyses and interpretations concerning the influence of
social networks on the formation of anti-dictatorial movements.
After this brief description of the article, a critical commentary on it follows. This
commentary interprets the observations made by González-Quijano and reflects on them.
B) PERSONAL CRITICAL COMMENTARY
It is a reality that new generations will participate in social struggles through the internet.
This is a form of digital social activism, which the author of the article refers to using the
term “digital natives”. The presence of social activism online is strengthened by
communication established through social networks. The ability of networks to disseminate
information is proportional to the number of “digital natives” present on them.
This process of communication and information dissemination is strengthened by the
coexistence of different media outlets that work together. One example is the collaboration
between television networks such as Al Jazeera and social networks. According to the
author, it was precisely this collaboration that helped disseminate the news of the Arab
democratic revolution so powerfully.
In González-Quijano’s reflection on the concept of the “Arab Spring”, he argues that the
term used to name this movement can lead us to possible misconceptions. To this end, he
provides a historical and geographical overview of the democratic movement in question.
Thus, the author encourages the reader to reflect on the misleading comparison that can
be made between the recent “Arab Spring” and the movement known as the “Springtime of
the Peoples” of 1848.
On the other hand, despite the geographical diversity underlying the term “Arab Spring”,
the author discusses all the aspects these movements have in common, which in turn
constitute the direct reason why they are grouped under the same name: “Arab Spring”.
Among all these common aspects, however, González-Quijano highlights the role played by
these demonstrations on social networks.
