Recent Current Event Analysis - Essay Example

Current Event Analysis: “Internet Use Promotes Democracy Best in Countries That Are Already Partially Free” In the article entitled “Internet Use Promotes Democracy Best in Countries That Are Already Partially Free” is published in the Science Daily on April 4, 2012 and proffered pertinent issues relative to the use of the internet as a medium for promoting democracy. A study was reportedly conducted by the Ohio State University with Erik Nisbet, an assistant professor and lead author indicating that “instead of the internet promoting fundamental political change, it seems to reinforce political change in countries that already have at least some level of democratic freedoms” (Science Daily par. 3). This was corroborated by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio whose statements during a radio interview on From Washington al Mundos show and was disclosed to expound on “how access to the Internet empowers individuals and can be used to help promote democracy” (Capitol Hill Cubans).

The main argument in the article is that the "Internet use is a less effective means to mobilize citizens for democracy in extremely authoritarian countries” (Science Daily par. 4). As indicated, the relevance of the results focus on supporting the comparative method and the modernization theory which clearly demonstrates that “there are some countries that currently appear to have the right political and technological mix for the internet to play a role in social and political change. Those countries include Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Singapore and Zambia.

But countries in the survey that are run by highly authoritarian regimes, such as Vietnam and Zimbabwe, are not likely to see democracy flourishing anytime soon, regardless of use of the internet” (Science Daily par. 13 & 14). Under the modernization theory, “advanced industrial technology produces not only economic growth in developing societies but also other structural and cultural changes” (Armer and Sillis par. 7). One strongly believes that the Internet has actually accorded vast opportunities for transformations that include political change.

However, as contended in the article, political change could only be possibly effectively promoted using the Internet when current political structure permits its prolific application. As validated, in countries where complete authoritarian power rules, there are expected restrictions and constraints in accessing the Internet and in freely communicating personal ideas and thoughts – for the precise reasons that these governments preclude its people to plant the seeds of democracy, as could possibly be propagated through the Internet.

From the article, it could be deduced the governments and political leaders acknowledge the power of the Internet in facilitating various social, cultural, and even political transformations. The findings from the study revealed that highly democratic countries that promote freedom of speech and provide access to human rights are the ones that mostly support access and use to this technological medium. As summed by Nisbet in the article, “the internet cant plant the seed of democracy in a country.

However, the internet may help democracy flourish if it has already started to grow" (Science Daily par. 16). The theories of modernization and comparative method were thereby clearly manifested and applied in contemporary events as evidenced herewith.Works CitedArmer, J. Michael and John Kat Sillis. "Modernization Theory." 2011. edu.learnsoc.org. 17 April 2012 .Capitol Hill Cubans. "Promoting Democracy with the Internet." 12 April 2012. capitolhillscuban.com. 17 April 2012 .Science Daily. "Internet Use Promotes Democracy Best in Countries That Are Already Partially Free.

" 4 April 2012. sciencedaily.com. 17 April 2012 .