Internet has changed foreign policy for ever, says Gordon Brown

[Turborama]

Source: Guardian

Foreign policy can never be the same again — and it's all because of the internet, Gordon Brown said in an exclusive interview with the Guardian.

Referring to the so-called Twitter revolution in Iran, the prime minister said technological advances and the democratisation of information mean "foreign policy can no longer be the province of just a few elites".

"You cannot have Rwanda again," he said. "This week's events in Iran are a reminder of the way that people are using new technology to come together in new ways to make their views known."

He described the internet era as "more tumultuous than any previous economic or social revolution". "For centuries, individuals have been learning how to live with their next-door neighbours," he added.

"Now, uniquely, we're having to learn to live with people who we don't know.

"People have now got the ability to speak to each other across continents, to join with each other in communities that are not based simply on territory, streets, but networks; and you've got the possibility of people building alliances right across the world."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/19/gordon-brown-internet-foreign-policy

[timeforpeace]

1. Now it's possible to say nothing and not interfere in many new and wondrous ways!

[LiberalLovinLug]

2. It will be intereting to see how this all plays out.

Will the internet actually be a player in bringing a political change in Iran?



A country with an 80% voter turnout.
When voter fraud was suspected because of the results didn't support the polls they revolt and demonstrate.
Use of internet media is well known and used extensively by much of the population to organize and inform despite rightwing biased news networks.

and then there is the USA's elections (can't complain too much about the last one but...)

Hmmmmm which one is the backward third world country, and which one is the modern tech savy democracy?

[KG]

3. the elites should fear this change. their repressive bullshit can no longer be easily hidden.

[Kaleko]

4. Yup. It's a game-changer.

Knowledge is power, alright.

[T_i_B]

5. What a shame then...

...that Gordon Brown's Labour party is so rubbish at internet politics!

For proof of this you only need to refer back to the Damien McBride e-mails

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=191x26038

[JI7]

6. they had a revolution without Tritter in 79 and Iran has blocked these things but

people still got out there to protest.

but i think it's been helpful in getting out info to people around the world. especially with what our whore media has become with the tabloid type reporting it's good for people who are interested in world news.