In the article entitled Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution:Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory, Nahed Eltantawy and Julie B. Weist manifest the many obstacles faced when organizing a social movement. Social change does not occur over night and takes a countless number of effort, time and dedication to a certain cause. In the article Eltantawy and Weist explain, in great detail, how the resource mobilization theory plays key role in achieving social change. Using the Egyptian Revolution as an example, Nahed Eltantawy and Julie B. Weist prove how social media and the Internet have acted as the resource through which the Egyptian revolution was able to occur.
In order to understand how social media and the Internet have influenced the protests in Egypt one must first understand the Resource Mobilization Theory. According to Eltantawy and Weist the Resource Mobilization Theory is one that “is based on the notion that resources—such as time, money, organizational skills, and certain social or political opportunities—are critical to the success of social movements. At its inception, resource mobilization theory was unlike earlier theories of collective action in its treatment of social movements as normal, rational, institutionally rooted activities that are structured and patterned, thus allowing for analysis in terms of organizational dynamics,” (Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1209). Organizing is always a difficult task. Whether its planning a best friends birthday party or holding a school field trip, there are always so many details that must receive attention. On the other hand, now imagine, instead of rounding up a group of friends for a birthday party or a classroom of kids for a field trip, you are in charge of rounding up a whole city or town for an organized protest. Although this may seem like it would be impossible, the Egyptian people were able to do it. However without social media and the Internet none of the social movements would have been possible.
Undoubtably, social movements did occur without the use of social media and the Internet. However, in today’s day and age the Internet has come to play a huge part in today’s society. As Eltantawy and Weist point out “Resource mobilization theory makes clear that both the availability of resources and actors’ efficacy in using them effectively are essential. In addition to resources like a motivated citizenry and the availability of transportation to gather in mass, a significant resource for the Egyptian revolution that was utilized effectively was social media,” (Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1210). Since the Internet has become so dominant in our every day lives it has become an effective way to connect with others. Furthermore, the people involved in the Egyptian revolution saw the potential that social media had to organize a group of people. As more people began to use social media as a way to bring people together social movements started to reach new levels of effectiveness. In the opinions of Elantawy and Weist, the most significant thing “about the use of social media in the Egyptian revolution is how it changed the dynamics of social mobilization. Social media introduced speed and interactivity that were lacking in the traditional mobilization techniques, which generally include the use of leaflets, posters, and faxes. For instance, social media enabled domestic and international Egyptian activists to follow events in Egypt, join social-networking groups, and engage in discussions,” (Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1213).
Unequivocally, the usage of social media and the Internet, for the purpose of reaching a large amount of people is a process that has been developing for several years. However, as demonstrated by the Egyptian people, social media encompasses the potential for social change.
In order to understand how social media and the Internet have influenced the protests in Egypt one must first understand the Resource Mobilization Theory. According to Eltantawy and Weist the Resource Mobilization Theory is one that “is based on the notion that resources—such as time, money, organizational skills, and certain social or political opportunities—are critical to the success of social movements. At its inception, resource mobilization theory was unlike earlier theories of collective action in its treatment of social movements as normal, rational, institutionally rooted activities that are structured and patterned, thus allowing for analysis in terms of organizational dynamics,” (Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1209). Organizing is always a difficult task. Whether its planning a best friends birthday party or holding a school field trip, there are always so many details that must receive attention. On the other hand, now imagine, instead of rounding up a group of friends for a birthday party or a classroom of kids for a field trip, you are in charge of rounding up a whole city or town for an organized protest. Although this may seem like it would be impossible, the Egyptian people were able to do it. However without social media and the Internet none of the social movements would have been possible.
Undoubtably, social movements did occur without the use of social media and the Internet. However, in today’s day and age the Internet has come to play a huge part in today’s society. As Eltantawy and Weist point out “Resource mobilization theory makes clear that both the availability of resources and actors’ efficacy in using them effectively are essential. In addition to resources like a motivated citizenry and the availability of transportation to gather in mass, a significant resource for the Egyptian revolution that was utilized effectively was social media,” (Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1210). Since the Internet has become so dominant in our every day lives it has become an effective way to connect with others. Furthermore, the people involved in the Egyptian revolution saw the potential that social media had to organize a group of people. As more people began to use social media as a way to bring people together social movements started to reach new levels of effectiveness. In the opinions of Elantawy and Weist, the most significant thing “about the use of social media in the Egyptian revolution is how it changed the dynamics of social mobilization. Social media introduced speed and interactivity that were lacking in the traditional mobilization techniques, which generally include the use of leaflets, posters, and faxes. For instance, social media enabled domestic and international Egyptian activists to follow events in Egypt, join social-networking groups, and engage in discussions,” (Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution 1213).
Unequivocally, the usage of social media and the Internet, for the purpose of reaching a large amount of people is a process that has been developing for several years. However, as demonstrated by the Egyptian people, social media encompasses the potential for social change.