Internet Has Actually Had a Negative Effect on Non-Western Societies - Essay Example

Internet has Actually had a Negative effect on Non-western Societies Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Introduction The universal spread of the modern technology comprising of the information and communication technology (ICT) is usually perceived as a postmodern era indicator of globalization as well as a prerequisite of the intensive global interactions of individuals as well as the exchange of goods and services, capital and information (Wood and Smith, 2001). Among the forms of the information and communication technology is the internet. Apparently, internet growth is a global phenomenon. From a comparatively incomprehensively academic tool, the internet has increasingly become a fixture for every household. In fact, in the present day, you can barely find anyone with no personal homepage or email address. With more people becoming more connected, the internet according to some scholars is increasingly becoming a bad influence same as the television. However, the capability of the internet to create a many-to-many set of communication is different from the traditional mass media (Porter, 1997). As a result, this has offered the internet a strong possibility of creating communities with unique cultures to a particular community. In trying to form specific communities, a number of effects arise some, which are considered positive, and others negative according to different scholars. Cultural effects It is apparent that the internet has advocated for the western lifestyles in the non-western countries. The lifestyles denote a number of aspects from the western life and society with a number of them portraying the positivity of the western life style. This has made the people living in the non-western countries to perceive the west countries as nations as countries of total freedom. Moreover, they perceive the west, as a paradise whereby the individuals are free to do anything and that their private lives as well as individual achievement is not interfered with by external forces. This kind of information has a great effect on the life philosophy as well as the global view of most youth in the non-western countries, which are yet to mature. This makes most of these youths to aspire to live in the west just to change their lifestyle. In addition, the internet has helped the superior cultures of the west to affect and homogenize the inferior cultures from the non-western countries (Wood and Smith, 2001). This is because the internet is overpoweringly a culture from the west and as such, it has helped spread this culture across the universe. This has resulted to the weakening of the cultures and the lifestyle of the non-western countries. Besides, with the tremendous spread of the internet some of the western countries have become susceptible to the superior cultures from the west in an attempt to defend themselves. Studies reveal that the situation has continued to worsen and as a result, the experts in the non-western countries are now showing concern as their cultures are being standardized. To stop this from happening further they have developed proposals in attempt to stop cultural invasion on differing fronts (Porter, 1997). It has also been found that the internet impacts the minds of individuals as well as changes and influences the ethical values and moral perspectives of the people living in the non-western world. The pornography merchants also through the acquiring of the high profits in billions of dollars are increasingly opening pornographic sites that provide varieties of sex information. The nude females and males are also in the internet. These kinds of materials are accessed by almost everyone especially in the non-western world and these have negative effects on the youth. Despite the negative effects of the internet, some scholars believe that it is an essentially important part of our lives individually and professionally. This is because most people are dependent on it for communication, entertainment and education needs. Moreover, it has allowed people to access education form the comfort of their homes. In addition, the internet has introduced us to a number of creative outlets that can assist us better or personal and professional lives. Evidently, the internet can also influence and alter the way we perceive things and life while at the same time encouraging us to do what we maybe thought we could never do (Stetson, 2012). Moreover, the supporters of the internet believe that it can help us interact with people around the universe and this improves our understanding of other cultures. Through the internet, we also get to access constructive information on travel and education for the youth and the young ones. This is essentially important to the kids and the youth as it helps boost their self-esteem as well as increasing their interest levels in specific subjects. Political effects In the recent time, the effects of internet on politics have been a topic of discussion amongst scholars. In the developed countries, most governments have adopted Internet based applications, implemented portal sites in order to offer citizens and clients with online services and information access (West, 2002). According to Sadow and James (1999), government organizations all over the globe have implemented on-line services. Although, Internet has had positive effects on politics, studies have proven that in the non-western countries, Internet has negatively swayed politics. The political views of individuals can be negatively influenced by the Internet. Generally, the internet is founded on the western culture meaning that it spreads democratic values of the western countries in addition to presenting democracy as the superlative kind of government. It disclaims governments and political perceptions dissimilar from democratic governments. Often, the Internet provides misleading or improper information, which as a result makes people to make wrong conclusions. Internet can also result to delegitimisation and criminalization of the non-western societies. This delineates the unlawful capture of government revenues and procedures by political leaders. According to Bayartet al. (1999), the criminalization of the state and of politics can be termed as routinisation of practices of the governmental and political circuits and institutions, which have an obvious criminal nature. Political criminalization hampers fair and free elections, implying that the long lasting prosperity of the citizens may not be influenced positively by the casted votes. For instance, in Papua New Guinea (PNG) two-thirds of the yearly revenue was stolen by bureaucrats and politicians (Pacific Magazine, 2007) whilst Haley (2004) puts forth that elections are frequently stolen. The Internet has been proven to sway this procedure by modifying the manner in which the flow of information takes place. It permits the populace to access information regarding political procedures that may impact their relations with the government as well as their expectations. Bimber (2003) has also given his views on how the Internet has swayed politics. According to him, the Internet has enabled the creation of a ‘post bureaucratic governance framework. This implies that the flow of information is obtained from the democratized and bureaucrats elites. Apparently, this should result to amplified information flow and political engagement and in non-western countries that are usually regarded as fragile nations: the effects of elites may be diluted. Certainly, this according to Gentzkow and Shapiro (2010) forms the basis of numerous idealistic arguments presented to contend that the Internet, being a symbol for information freedom has influenced politic positively. Bimber et al. (2005) goes on and affirms that this development can have harmful impacts. They maintain that, indeed, the Internet may result to disintegration instead of coherence in the society. The existent of mechanisms for deliberation and attention as put forth by Bimber can result to democracy (2003). The development of the Internet maintains that government managers and elected officers have been swayed by the forecasts of techno-optimists by publicizing the capacity of the Internet to make state more responsive and effective and to strengthen the participation of the public. This is achieved through ensuring that political information becomes more persuasive, creating novel chances for participation and reducing involvement costs (Bayart et al. 1999). However, the amount of proof obtained until currently regarding the impacts of Internet has not provided a promising picture. Various studies have put forward that Internet politics is merely typical politics because the Internet has not been able to modify how political campaigns are conducted (Sadow and James, 1999). Bimber (2003) asserts that the Internet is primarily employed by organizations and persons who are presently active in politics, and this signifies that the availability of ample information from the internet does not result to increased involvement in politics. Fountain (2001) argues that political and bureaucratic inflexibilities have hindered endeavours to use the Internet to assist collaboration between cross-agencies. In general, communication and the availability of information lack considerable effects on the choices made by persons concerning participation in politics. The Internet according to some researchers has resulted to power distribution since organizations and government officials currently in politics are capable of controlling the design, spread, and employment of novel technologies to back their imbedded interests. On the other hand, some scholars argue that the development of the Internet has resulted to information distribution, reduced communication costs thus created novel chances for involvement thus empowering novel groups, amplifying democratic involvement. References Bayart, J. Ellis, S. Hibou, B. 1999. The Criminalization of the state in Africa. London: Oxford University Press. Bimber, B. (2003). Information and Political Engagement in America: The Search for Effects of Information Technology at the Individual Level. Political Science Quarterly, vol. 54, no.1, pp. 53-67. Gentzkow, M. and Shapiro, J. 2010. Ideological Segregation Online and Offline. Chicago: Booth Research Paper 10/19 Haley, N. 2004. A Failed Election: the Case of the Koroba-Lake Kopiago OpenElectorate" Politicking and Voting in the Highlands: The 2002 Papua New Guinea NationalElections. State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Discussion paper, 2004/1, Australian National University Pacific Magazine. 2007. Sir Michael Blasts Transparency International Comments. 18/12/2007. Porter, D. 1997. Internet Culture. New York: Routledge. Sadow, J. D. and James, K 1999. Virtual Billboards? Candidate Web Sites and Campaigning in 1998. Atlanta, GA: American Political Science Association Stetson, C. 2012. Positive Effects of the Internet on Culture. Available at http://www.ehow.com/info_8229906_positive-effects-internet-culture.html West, D. M. 2002. State and Federal E-Government in the United States. Providence, Taubman Center for Public Policy, Brown University. Wood, A.F and Smith, M.J. 2001. Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, and Culture. London: Routledge. Read More