Padrão de Resposta

In the realm of Political Science and International Relations there has been a debate about whether it is the individual or the state that has a more prominent role in shaping historical events. Those who focus on the individual present arguments that are similar to those laid out by Hilary Mantel, whereas Tom Fletcher’s remarks are the quintessential reasoning of the defenders of state power. Although international politics and diplomacy have undeniably been influenced by technological and economic changes, the advent of social media and the rise of China do not, and will not, undermine the state.
When it comes to the impacts caused by the widespread use of social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, on a global scale, it must be recognized that Hilary Mantel and those who share such views do have a point. In fact, international politics is not only the byproduct of relations between and among states, but also between individuals and private entities. Though this has always been so, the recent revolution in communication technology has given individuals a bigger say in politics. In this regard, nowhere was this clearer than in the United Kingdom during the Brexit referendum. Had it not been for Twitter, Facebook, and Cambridge Analytica, which catalyzed voters’ discontent, the European Union and British Parliament would not have been stuck in a quagmire for so long.
This does not mean, however, that states have become obsolete. The twenty-first century will go down in history as a time when China re-emerged as an economic power house and as a major power that can rival, or threaten, the United States. This was achieved through commercial and economic liberalization combined with the visible hand, or some may say, an iron fist, of the Chinese state. Such is the concern of Chinese authorities about the disruptive impact of social media on internal stability that the central government has banned Twitter and Facebook outright. It has created, instead, several state-run companies, such as Weibo, through which the Communist Party expects to keep its grip on power. Perhaps, the answer to Tom Fletcher’s question could be neither. Moreover, what feeds the current trade war between the US and China is that the Chinese are far more advanced in 5G technology, which could undermine the market share of American companies, but American global hegemony itself.
All in all, even though Hilary Mantel is right in pointing out the importance of private agency, it seems that Tom Fletcher’s analysis addresses the key issue, that is, that states will remain the most powerful actors in international politics. He may be wrong in singling out Google or Britain. Perhaps, it will be China and some of its state-run companies.