Iranian President Rouhani has said that he is in favor of loosening the restrictions on social media like Twitter. If that happens things could escalate in Iran. You may recall the central role that social media played in the Arab Spring
demonstrations and riots. Rouhani may be opening Pandora’s Box and may never get it closed again. Apparently, the Iranian government has firewalls in the
internet to prevent Iranians from using social networks. However, many people find ways around the firewalls. I seriously doubt that the Iranian people are ignorant about what is happening in other countries that are free and democratic. Information tends to flow across borders. Using social media just makes it easier and faster. Of course, Rouhani may find that it easier to monitor citizens and what is currently happening by removing the fire wall. He may take a page from the NSA’s notebook. Remember, you saw here first.
I don’t believe that countries that are autocratic can exist forever next to countries that are free and democratic (http://clicktotweet.com/VWrfJ). That is what happened to the Soviet Union and many countries in South America. If you take the long view, someday North Korea will reunite with South Korea just like East and West Germany. Democracy and freedom has had an influence on China as well. That is part of the problem in Egypt. The Egyptian people do not want to return to stricter form of government. We will see Iran loosening up their restrictions and adopting capitalism to some degree. If they don’t, they may also fall victim to the Arab Spring. We can only wait and see.
demonstrations and riots. Rouhani may be opening Pandora’s Box and may never get it closed again. Apparently, the Iranian government has firewalls in the
internet to prevent Iranians from using social networks. However, many people find ways around the firewalls. I seriously doubt that the Iranian people are ignorant about what is happening in other countries that are free and democratic. Information tends to flow across borders. Using social media just makes it easier and faster. Of course, Rouhani may find that it easier to monitor citizens and what is currently happening by removing the fire wall. He may take a page from the NSA’s notebook. Remember, you saw here first.
I don’t believe that countries that are autocratic can exist forever next to countries that are free and democratic (http://clicktotweet.com/VWrfJ). That is what happened to the Soviet Union and many countries in South America. If you take the long view, someday North Korea will reunite with South Korea just like East and West Germany. Democracy and freedom has had an influence on China as well. That is part of the problem in Egypt. The Egyptian people do not want to return to stricter form of government. We will see Iran loosening up their restrictions and adopting capitalism to some degree. If they don’t, they may also fall victim to the Arab Spring. We can only wait and see.
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