Social Networks and Democratic Transition : Vision and Reality

Abstract

Over the past few years, social networks have gained significant popularity and become one of the new media platforms most widely used at an unprecedented form, not only as a powerful tool for community building and identity formation but also as a valuable means for political change and the collective action. These digital platforms have provided new avenues for political communication, along with contribute to creation of public sphere which could encourage democratic activity and dissemination of dissenting viewpoints, as well as engagement in social movements. Hence, it is not surprising that these platforms are emerging as an effective tool, not only to enhance democracy, but also to ignite social and economic advancement. In this respect, this paper shed light on the contribution of these new media platforms in building and sustaining democracy by studying certain mechanisms important, such as flows of information, freedom of expression, and independence of media, which can be used as a catalyst for advancing democratization in Egypt, along with discussion the challenges of democratic transition process.