LACIGF side event - Internet in Venezuela

[Klein, Hans K]

I assume this side event on Venezuela, the Internet, and human rights is done with the best of intentions.

But recent histories in other countries might make activists think twice about setting in motion events that can lead in unexpected and horrific directions.

In Libya public demonstrations “quickly became violent” and were eventually followed by bombing by foreign powers; that country is now mired in civil war and many Libyans are risking their lives to escape the country.   In Syria public demonstrations “quickly became violent,” and foreign powers and various foreign-backed “freedom fighters” emerged to engage in what has been called the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.   In Ukraine public demonstrations also “quickly became violent,” then there was a foreign-associated coup d’etat, and then a civil war began that has claimed an estimated 10,000 lives (so far.)  Even in Venezuela in 2002 public demonstrations “quickly became violent” and led to a foreign-supported coup d’etat (that was later reversed.)

So, pragmatically speaking, the utility of public demonstrations for achieving social justice goals is not above question.   There seems to be a pattern of civil society demonstrations “quickly becoming violent” and devolving into civil wars.  Yes, regimes are changed -- but at the price of social chaos.

(I am doing early-stage research on the topic of information warfare and the transition to violence in civil society movements.)

From what I read in the US media, Venezuela is experiencing serious economic and social problems.  But those problems are nothing like what is going on in Syria or Libya or other places. It would be a shame if well-intentioned demonstrations there led to serious conflict.

Hans Klein
Associate Professor of Public Policy
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, Georgia  USA










From: NCSG-Discuss [mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Renata Aquino Ribeiro
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 10:30 PM
To: NCSG-DISCUSS at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: LACIGF side event - Internet in Venezuela

Hi

An important side event in LAC on Digital Rights and Internet in Venezuela w/ some members
3aug 2pm (Panama time)
Tweets #LACIGF10 #LACIGF

Please share among your networks


https://www.eventbrite.com/e/internet-en-venezuela-tickets-36639262019?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing
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