Ochlocracy in the Cybersphere

Abstract

The computer and the Internet have changed the world. They have facilitated global communications never before possible. The cyber world is wonderful—and terrible. Extremist blogs have exploded on the Internet, using various platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more. Extreme views and warped views of reality abound, and, people form into cyber groups with millions of people sharing a given “reality.” These cyber groups sometimes meet in actual groups at a given destination. Once formed as an actual group of thousands, mob psychology can take over engendering violence and destabilizing society.

The cyber world is new and this new kind of ochlocracy is very worrisome. How do modern societies protect themselves from mob rule? Can democracy survive mob rule? Can dictatorships be overthrown with mob rule—remember Egypt in the Arab Spring?