As dictators tumble in the Arab world, the internet—and particularly social-media sites like Facebook and Twitter—is being given considerable credit. The internet empowers protestors to organise and collaborate on a huge scale. It spreads news of injustices and gives voice to many.
Yet some think the web's plentiful distractions have made would-be rebels docile. And far more worryingly, the internet has gifted autocrats and their security services immense power to identify, monitor and harass dissenters. What do you think? Will the web make citizens more free? Or does it make us easier to control?
This debate will happen online, and starts on February 23rd 2011. You can sign up for email alerts to be notified when this debate begins.
Internet democracy
This house believes that the internet is not inherently a force for democracy.
Evgeny Morozov
Defending the motion
Evgeny Morozov
Author, "The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom"
John Palfrey
Against the motion
John Palfrey
Henry N. Ess Professor; Vice-Dean, Library and Information Resources, Harvard Law School
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