Firstly, Stockwell provided us with a wide rang of information and in depth content regarding politics within the internet. The readings introduced us to 'cyber politics' meaning 'the politics of the internet' along with eDemocracy. refering to 'the internet's intervention in and contribution to real world politicss that exists predominantly off the internet'. These two concepts granted us a foundation for the practice of liberal democracy and politics which occup the internet. Although I don't have a substantial knowledge or understanding of the ins and outs of how our Nation's government operates (to be honest I would have to say I'm quite ignorant on this topic) - a few of the subjects I'm currently studying (such as news + poltics and sociology) have provided me with a small degree of background information and understanding of basic principles to approach this lecture with.
Therefore, generally speaking I believe that practice of politics is present in pretty much all of our every day social, personal and business activites and relationships. This is based on the idea that politics involves 'negotiation, power, conflict, choice, sharing, decision making and allocation of resources' (Williams, P, 2009 Lecture).
Marriage is a god examlpe of how the above factors create not only a personal but the operation of a politcal relationship. Harold Lasswell stated potlics is "who gets what, when and how". With these principles in mind, our Nation's government operates under a democratic regime and attempts to 'negotiate' excercise 'power' and authority, 'decision making' and 'allocation of resources' in a fair and societal influenced manner. We are granted the freedom of speech and right to vote, in order to participate in this influence. Our Nation's political operation is founding on the theory and practicing principles that citizens are equal members of society and obtain the right to freedom of speech, press, religion and so forth. Roussea (1712-88) believed democracy is a "social construct [where] citized & state [are] working together for common good via people's general will" (Williams, 2009). I believe our Nation's theory and practice of poltics (which allows public election, contribution and comment) allows us as citizens to live in a failry free and equal society and am very grateful for the government we have in comparison to countries who are ruled under a totalitarian or militant regime. Love our countries freedom!
Moving on, we were then provided with the corresponding tutorial tasks:
What opportunities can you find for political participation via the internet. How many of the following can you achieve while sticking to your political beliefs?
• Sign an e-petition.
I came across the 'Care 2 Petitionsite', a petition set up for 'save our trees' (attempting to 'drastically reduce the number of trees' that are being cut down).
The address is: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/152186462
My pet hate is when people waste paper!! Throwing out perfectly clean pages after doing one little scribble is destroying nature!!
Anyway, through supporting this cause I signed the petition and recieved the following confirmation:
"Thank you, chloe!
You signed this petition at:
4:52 AM PDT, Oct 5, 2009".
• Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site.
I found a site called the 'Blog Herald'-a news site specifically set up for professional blogging on hard news issues.
I then saw a blog post named 'China's Censorship Equilibrium'.
It was posted 14/09/09 and written by Rick Martin.
Address:
http://www.blogherald.com/2009/09/14/chinas-censorship-equilibrium/
In summary, the blog article was basically putting he idea forward that in China, when the government feels society is in unrest-the government has shown a pattern to block/censor sites which encourage public opinion and free speech. Sites such as youtube, facebook, myspace, twitter and so forth (so therefore, especially social networking sites) are block from public consumption. Rick Martin continues to blog that these are often controlled in times of political scandal etc. but sometimes are then later unblocked. Therefore, he believes that government censorships of sites which allow free public discussion, are often blocked in accordance to what is going on in society. This idea is captured in his first opening sentences:
"For as long as I’ve been paying attention Chinese internet censorship has always seems to fluctuate around an equilibrium, typically dependent on the social climate. When there are times of unrest unflattering to China’s global ‘face,’ or even times when there is merely the threat of unrest...websites get blocked. When all is relatively well in society, all is well on the internet" (Martin.2009:1).
My response and confirmation of my post is below:
By Chloe posted on October 6, 2009 at 12:15 am
Hi Rick,
I came across your blog post ‘China’s Censorship Equilibrium’ and I found it very interesting. Your theory that many social networking sites (or pages which invite social discussion and free speech) are often blocked by the Chineese government in times of societal unrest, was definitely a great debate for me to ponder. In Austrlia we wouldn’t think twice of sites like facebook, myspace and twitter ever being censored by our National leaders. Free speech is part of our every day culture and I guess now from reading this blog, something we take for granted. China’s attempt to sporadically censor public opinion online cetainly does not relate to the large majory of today’s global democratic principles. I can’t imagine the public outrage if facebook or twitter were restriced from Austrlian citizens. Thank you for your food for thought on China’s political actions not only in society, but online.
You can view my reponse, along with Rick's article at:
Address:
http://www.blogherald.com/2009/09/14/chinas-censorship-equilibrium/
• What is Barak Obama up to today?
I went straight to the President's twitter site, with his last post (uploaded Sept. 25th) encouraging citizens to help pass health reform.
Address: http://twitter.com/BARACKOBAMA
I then typed in this direct question into google search-provided with the site:
Address: http://www.whatisbarackdoing.com/
This gave more updated information (frm 10/2) but again advised of Obama pushing 'the health reform urgent for the economy'.
• Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are.
Local Representative: Mayor-Ron Clarke
State Representative: Premier Anna Bligh
Federal Representative: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Look up the Queensland or Australian hansard to find the last time your local member spoke in parliament.
After searching the QLD hansard website:
Address: http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au/ISYSHanSimp.htm
You are able to do a QLD parliament document search.
I typed in Ron Clarke, and it advised me his latest speech was on the 15/9/09. The document advised Mr.Clarke was speaking in the 'first session of the 53rd Parliament'
-Off the political note, I remember a few weeks ago Mr. Clarke was in the media as his daughter had passed away. Very sad for their family.
What do you think of the Australian Government's plans to censor the internet (the so-called "Clean Feed")???
When I came to this question, I thought it best if i searched exactly what the so-called 'clean feed' was refering to. When typing 'clean feed' into google, I was provided with the following site:
Address: http://nocleanfeed.com/
Basically, the site informed that our government is trying to 'push forward' a make internet sercive providers (ISPs) censor the Austrlian internet. This action will apparently signifcantly slow down out internet access. Austrlia's Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, is apparently trying to force us with this 'filter', even though the large majority of our public, ISP's, the Media, experts in censorship and even our state governments are strongly against this action.
My thoughts:
I can see positive and negative sides to the arguement.
On a positive note, I understand that the government is trying to do what is best for younger children by helping protect them from the dangers of the net. Also they are attempting to censor illegal activity (child sexual abuse, pedophiles, porn, voielenc etc.)These issues I agree with and see are being done for the greater good.
On the other hand, the 'clean feed' action wil restrict adults from making personal choices about what content they want to view. This issue raises the theory of our democractic principle-freedom of speech. Will sites be filtered that restrict Austrlian citizen to participate in their democractic rights of freedom of speech? If so, we may be viewed as joining the Chineese bandwago (similar to the ideas discussed from the blog previously investigated). Therefore, if we are implementing the democratric theory of freedom of speech in society but not re online practise-then this indeed is a contradiction. Additionally, the technology is approximated to cost 44 million to implement-a heavy fee for us as tax payers. Along with the financial issue, the filter is also predicated to slow down our internet speed by around 30%. Overall, I can really only see one sole benefit-being the protction of young children from abusive material on the internet. But with the finanical, technological and political restrictions, I believe the bad could definitely outweight the good and don't necessarily agree with censorship having a relatable place in a democratic society where individual choice and freedom is encouraged.(Although I do believe that these freedoms should not be abused by producing harmful, abusive and illegal activity online).
To learn more re the 'clean feed' plans visit:
Address: http://nocleanfeed.com/learn.html>
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