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Social Networking and Politics
To date, political parties attempts to utilise social networking have had varying degrees of success. Both David Cameron and Gordon Brown's efforts have appeared somewhat contrived, with Cameron's looking like a bad channel 5 soap opera / a clumsy bisto advert and Browns being excruciatingly uncomfortable, like a grandad attending an underground rave................. with no clothes on. In both instances one gets the feeling that their attempts have been as much as PR exercise to show how their respective political parties are in touch with the 'yoof' of today, rather than a genuine attempt to forge new inroads into an increasingly disillusioned electorate. It appears that the politicians just dont get it, they have the key but are too afraid to open the door. Why? you may ask. One answer could potentially be the sheer power of social networking sights to mobilise people and influence thought. Would the government want to engage with the Social Networking phenomeneon when there is huge potential for mass backlash? Well, we already get this in the press, so this may not be the issue. However ,there is definately a sense that politicians are more afraid than enlightened by the use of scoial networking to get voters on side. Its a great unknown, a huge mass of the 21st centuries opinion. A pandora's box if you will.
One can see parallels to that of Falun Gong in China. Falun Gong is a form of meditation practised by millions, in parks and open spaces across the land. But recently the Chinese authorities have grown concerned about the potential this peacful, meditative practive has in mobilising large groups of people and have started breaking up the tranquil crowds. British politicians may see social networking in the same light. An untamed beast baying for blood and capable of causing a stir. One thing is for sure, the political process of passing policies and establishing laws will never enter this realm, that would be too much power in the hands of the voters, as after all, we vote the government in to make decisions for us. If we were to start voting on matters every day through social networking sites the governemnt would have a hugley diminished role. In reality, it remians to be seen the role that social networking can have in politics other than a PR ploy.
Pehaps, no, its a stupid thought, no, oh, go on then.
Well, theres this guy in America called Barack who seems to utilise it in less calculated fashion. President Barack Obama's election victory owed much to his effective use of social networking sites. On a whole, Obama has empowered people who would never have ususally have made their way to the polls, and he has heightened his publicity and his appeal through, amongst other things, his embrace of social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. He appears to be partaking in the social networking revolution, joining in with everyone else as opposed to using it for political gain; this may well be what stands him aside from the attempts made by Brown and Cameron.
D x
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