Digital diasporas and conflict prevention: the case of Somalinet.com
JENNIFER M. BRINKERHOFF
Abstract
Recent research on the Internet and terrorism confirms the Internet’s enabling features for terrorist activities, including its ease of access, anonymity, and international character. While the Internet can serve as a tool for nefarious purposes, little research has focused on whether and how the Internet can be used to prevent conflict and, ultimately, terrorist activities. This research focuses on one group that might be considered a resource base for violent action: diasporas from failed states. Research shows a strong correlation between marginalisation and violence. On the other hand, fostering a shared identity, inclusive of liberal values, and promoting carefully framed discussion and debate may reduce psychological incentives to engage in violent activities. This article examines the case of one digital diaspora – a diaspora organised on the Internet – to explore these hypotheses. Specifically, the case of Somalinet suggests potential for the Internet to promote liberal values, channel frustration into verbal debates thus diffusing tension, and create communities that counter the marginalisation conducive to violence.
Footnotes
1 This article builds upon research initiated under the first phase of the research programme Digital Diasporas, Identity, and International Policy Processes (DIP2) for which the author was co-principal investigator with Lori A. Brainard. The author would like to acknowledge the Center for the Study of Globalization at The George Washington University for its generous funding of the initial phase of this ongoing research programme, and to thank Dana Epstein and Tara Hill for their helpful research assistance.
