Digital native

Advances in communication technology have profoundly impacted the nature of civil society, moving past concepts of formal associations to show new signs of life in virtual networks and online campaigns. Citizens are mobilised through videos uploaded on blogs through Facebook invites, and civil society no longer necessarily awaits the arrival of charismatic leaders or NGOs to educate, influence and mobilise its members. Yet while the fervour over online networks is increasing – particularly in the context of the ongoing rebellions in West Asia and North Africa – it is important to ensure that our collective expectations remain pragmatic insofar as what virtual networks can hope to achieve.

Computer-mediated communication has certainly provided a segment of the Southasian population with a new medium through which to participate in the affairs of both the state and society. From the 'tweeting' following the Mumbai attacks of November 2008 to interacting in the virtual space with bloggers from around the Subcontinent; from signature campaigns protesting the Indian Supreme Court's verdict in the Union Carbide case to mobilising people through the 'pink chaddi' campaign (against attempts at moral policing by members of the Sri Ram Sena), civil society appears to be in a state of heightened activity. Most recently, the appearance of the 'stone-pelters' of Kashmir on Facebook has been hailed as indicative of an expansion of democratic spaces.