Networked PoliticsNetworked PoliticsNetworked PoliticsNetworked Politics
Merlyna LimConsortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (CSPO) &
School of Justice and Social InquiryARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Freedom of Expression WorkshopYogyakarta, 4-7 November 2007
Merlyna LimConsortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (CSPO) &
School of Justice and Social InquiryARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Freedom of Expression WorkshopYogyakarta, 4-7 November 2007
From ‘using’ to ‘being’ in
the networked communication
environment
CIVIL SOCIETY
NETWORKTECHNOLOGIES
GLOBALIZATION
EMERGING SURVEILLANCE
REGIMES
LARGE PRIVATE (ISP)COMPANIES
REGRESSIVEINTELECTUAL PROPERY
REGULATION
FASTER, WIDER, MORE AGGRESIVEMORE PROGRESSIVEMORE EXPANSIVE, ……..
COMMUNICATINGOBSERVING/RESEARCHINGPUBLISHING/SHARING COLLABORATING
MOBILIZATIONDELIBERATION
EMAILWEBSITESMAILING LISTSSEARCH ENGINES
WEB 2.0
ON CAPACITY BUILDINGON CAPACITY BUILDING
WHERE WE ARE ….
NGOs Indonesia:
94.03% use computers, 86.94% have Internet access
5.97% more than 10 years28.73% 5-10 years26.87% 3-5 years19.03% 0-3 years
(survey of 268 NGOs by Nugroho, 2007)
Growth of International Networks
(source: Nugroho, 2007)
Growth of Domestic Networks
(source: Nugroho, 2007)
There aresome successful
stories …….
There aresome successful
stories …….
However……However……
Successful stories are the “exception” to the general phenomenon
Most haven’t moved beyond “using” email and websites
In many cases, the uses emerged out of “formality” endorsed by donors or more superior/global partners
The technologies are just “tools” Old and new are perceived as being
separated
Successful stories are the “exception” to the general phenomenon
Most haven’t moved beyond “using” email and websites
In many cases, the uses emerged out of “formality” endorsed by donors or more superior/global partners
The technologies are just “tools” Old and new are perceived as being
separated
ON “POLITICAL CHANGE”ON “POLITICAL CHANGE”
MediatorInternet users
Mass mobilization
Printed/Photocopied/Faxed material
Political activists
Cyber activists
Ordinary people
Info Online info
Oral & Textual(Fax, fixed phone, mobile phone, email, etc.)
Physical PhysicalCyber Hybrid
coordinating organising/mobilising
May 1998 Anti-Suharto
Movement (Indonesia)
Mass Media:TV, Radio, Press
“Small Media”Fax, Cell-phone, Pamphlets
Street/Ground:WARNET (cybercafes)
Taxi drivers, street vendors,Food stalls/kiosks
Ironically, among the best practices is…
LASKAR JIHAD
laskarjihad.or.id
Listen.to/ambonScroll.to/ambon
Connect.to/ambonCome.to/suaraambon
Alsofwah.or.idMalu.ku.orgUmmah.net
Islamic-world.net
Palestina-info.melayu.netAl-islam.or.id
RepublikaMedia Dakwah
Sabili
Salafy.netSalafy.org
Personal websites
ChatroomsMailing lists
ForumsMessageboards
Guestbooks
Jihadi movements in Palestine, Lebanon, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Philippines, …
Laskar Jihad
www.salafy.netwww.salafy.orgwww.laskarjihad.or.idlaskarjihad@yahoogroups.com + shortcut & semi-mirror
Maluku Today newsletter (daily)Salafy monthlyBulletin Laskar Jihad
Pocketbook FKAWJ by Thalib
Rustam Kastor’s books (3)Printed version and e-books
Face-to-face meetingsTraffic light volunteersRallies SPPM radio
not only old and new media, but also old and new tactics
On activism-mobilization-political change On activism-mobilization-political change Effective in ‘critical moments’ (time of crisis) Relies on intermodality of various (loose, ad-
hoc) social networks --> old and new media + existing (traditional) social networks
Relies on issues Too quick, too thin, short-lived One-time-action Focus on ‘big’ politics, impersonal, un-
embedded
Effective in ‘critical moments’ (time of crisis) Relies on intermodality of various (loose, ad-
hoc) social networks --> old and new media + existing (traditional) social networks
Relies on issues Too quick, too thin, short-lived One-time-action Focus on ‘big’ politics, impersonal, un-
embedded
ON “PEOPLE’S POLITICS”ON “PEOPLE’S POLITICS”
1999 2000 200519981995 1996 1997…- 2001 2002 2003 20062004
BBS
Newsgroup
Mailinglists (abroad)
Mailing List………………………Personal websites
Groups’ sitesBlogs…………
Clustered blogs: multiply, friendsters
Political parties’ websites….Political leaders’ sites…
SBY
the President’s site
1994
Marsinah
Tempo
Grey 27 July 1996
MAY 1998REFORMASI
East Timor
MoluccanLaskar Jihad
9-11Bali bombing
Danish cartoon
RUU-APP
Satire on ‘anti-pornographic/action’ bylaws Satire on ‘anti-pornographic/action’ bylaws
Visualizing resistance against‘anti-pornographic/action’ bylaws Visualizing resistance against‘anti-pornographic/action’ bylaws
http://youtube.com/watch?v=w915EazVsT4
Cokelat Band and ‘nationalism’Cokelat Band and ‘nationalism’
From Great Jakarta to Great FloodFrom Great Jakarta to Great Flood
Waterworld featuring Governor SutiyosoWaterworld featuring Governor Sutiyoso
1999 2000 200519981995 1996 1997…- 2001 2002 2003 200620041994
CYBERCAFE
Indonesia
“DEMOCRACY”Anti-Suharto
Websites
IRC
Mail-lists
BBS
Emails
Univs/research inst
Global Indo
Democracy
CYBERCAFEHOTSPOT
Global Indonesia
PesantrenNet, Highschool-Net, Univ-Net, Office
Indonesia
Instant Messenger
CYBERCAFE
BLOGS
Everyday forms of politics
CYBERCAFE
CIVIL SOCIETY
NETWORKTECHNOLOGIES
NETWORKEDENVIRONMENT
CIVIL SOCIETY
• beyond access -->from using to being • uses to appropriation• tool to environment• from exogenous to embeddedness• old and new -- ecological system rather than separate entities• politics as part of culture• networked publics
