TNCT Q2 Reference PDF

**DEMOCRACY: MODELS, ELEMENTS, PRACTICES, AND INTERVENTIONS** **INTRODUCTION** Democracy is one of the forms of government followed by many countries around the world. In this system, people collectively exercise equal rights to participate in decision-making processes. But how is democracy practi...

**DEMOCRACY: MODELS, ELEMENTS, PRACTICES, AND INTERVENTIONS** **INTRODUCTION** Democracy is one of the forms of government followed by many countries around the world. In this system, people collectively exercise equal rights to participate in decision-making processes. But how is democracy practiced? What are the different models and elements of democracy? What is the importance of civil society to democracy? This chapter\'s lesson looks into these important questions. **I. DEFINING DEMOCRACY** Democracy is derived from two Greek words, namely, demos (people) and kratos (rule) which means \"rule by the people.\" As a system of government, democracy adheres to the rule of the people. It provides people the right to exercise \"some form of genuine control over government" (Lawson, 1989, 547). Under a democratic government, the protection of individual liberties, the conduct of free elections, and the assurance of political equality are safeguarded by the state. In a democracy, people collectively exercise equal rights to participate in the decision-making processes. Democracy differs from other forms of government like dictatorship and oligarchy. For example, in a dictatorial form of government, people do not exercise rights decision-making. Rather, power is confined to a single individual, called dictator, who has an autocratic exercise of political power. In an oligarchic system, power to rule is in the hands of a few people known as oligarchs (Lawson, 1989, 547 and 550). **II. DEMOCRACY MODELS** **1. Participatory Democracy** In a participatory democracy, people rule through the collective discussion of issues that need to be debated. They discuss and take into consideration as well the possible solutions to the problem until such time that an arrangement on the best solution or option for the group is achieved. In this model of democracy, decisions and solutions are agreed upon and made by all members without resorting to a vote[. Examples of this form of democracy include members of a cooperative resolving an issue related to the organization and American political parties organizing conventions to select their presidential candidate.] Catt enumerates four major components of participatory democracy. These include the following: 1\. All members have the opportunity to raise an issue, provide possible solutions to the problem and take part in the crafting of the final decision. 2\. The issues are discussed during face-to-face meetings. 3\. There is much discussion involved in addressing the problem and everyone who wants to join can contribute to the discussion. 4\. Members want consensus. **2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY** Political scientists define direct democracy in two ways. First, people decide in an assembly or forum of citizens, without conducting an election or using representatives. Direct democracy has an element of proximity because people assemble in a particular venue. It also has an element of directness because people decide for their community together and directly without the use of formal mediation (Saward, 2003, 54-55). Example of this model include sports club or condominium owners who vote on the new sports club or condominium regulations. **Direct democracy** is also shown when referendums are conducted. Political scientists call it referendum democracy. *Referendum* refers to a vote on a particular issue in which the outcome or decision is reached directly through people\'s vote. The decision can be made by representatives of the people or anyone else aside from the voting citizens. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Italy used referendum to decide contentious and constitutional issues (Saward, 2003, 55). In the Philippines, [referendums are allowed in accordance to Republic Act No. 6735 or the \"People\'s Initiative and Referendum Act\" (1989).] In the law, people \"under a system of initiative and referendum can directly propose, enact, approve or reject, in whole or in part, the Constitution, laws, ordinances, resolutions passed by any legislative body upon compliance with the requirements of the Act.\" In Section 3 (c) of the said Act, a referendum is conducted by the electorate to approve or reject a particular legislation through an election called for the purpose. It has two classifications. First is the referendum on statutes or the petition to approve or reject an act or law or part therTheeof that was passed by Congress. And the second is the referendum on local law is petition to approve or reject a law, resolution, or ordinance enacted by regional assemblies and local legislative bodies. To exercise power or referendum, Section 5 of the Act stated that at least 10% of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district is represented by at least 3% of the registered voters thereof, shall sign a petition for the purpose and register the petition with the Commission on Elections. **3. REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY** Representative democracy requires the election of a few members who are responsible for making the necessary decisions for the people. These people are chosen by the electorate as their representatives in government and thus they are answerable to the people for making such decisions. Examples of this model are the elections held in the parents-teachers\' association in schools, the presidential elections, election of members of the Senate or House of Representatives. In our modern world, [representative democracy is the most common model of democracy followed by governments]. A representative democratic political system provides regular constitutional opportunities for changing government leaders and a social mechanism that allows the majority of the people to influence important decisions by selecting government leaders from a number of candidates (Roskin, et.al, 1997, 64). Under a representative democracy, people vote during election time in order to choose a new set of national and local leaders. The newly-elected government leaders exercise political power. Voting and leaders\' exercise of political power must enshrined in the laws of the land known as the constitution. **III. ELEMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY** Representative democracy has several key elements. According to Roskin, Cord, Medeiros, and Jones, these key elements include popular support of government, political competition, alternation of power, popular representation, majority rule, recognition of rights to dissent and disobedience, political equality, popular consultation, and free press. **1. Popular Support of Government** Popular support is a very important component of democracy because democratic governments needed legitimacy that is rooted from the support that they received from a majority of votes cast by people in a free and fair elections. The preservation of popular support of people to their leaders is necessary in a democratic system. No leader has an inherent or divine right to rule or to hold political power. Leaders in a democratic state are constitutionally elected by the people during elections. Under a democratic system people can hold their leaders accountable for their actions because there are mechanisms enshrined within democratic constitutions that provides for the dismissal of elected officials who were found to be inutile or undeserving for public office or reelection. National leaders like prime minister, presidents, senators, representatives, and local leaders like governors, mayors, vice-mayors, and counselors, can be reelected in a democratic form of government if voters found their public service satisfactory. If not, they end up not being reelected by the people during elections. It is through the ballot during election period that voters can express their support and dismay to their leaders. The electoral process also determine the future directions of government policies. **2.** **Political Competition** Under a democratic system, the people have several choices when electing officials. Candidates belong to different political parties and each of them have their own party platform and individual plans of actions for their constituents. Democratic governments provide for political competition which means that the constitution allows for at least two candidates to run for a particular public office. In the Philippines, for example, there are several candidates running for the different government offices. In the last presidential election in May 2016, there were five presidential candidates who ran for the 2016 Presidential Elections. Each candidate, belonging to different political parties, has individual platforms and political directions on how to address the problems of the Philippines. In the local level, there are also a number of candidates who run as governor, mayor, vice-mayor, and counselors in the provinces, towns, and cities throughout the Philippines. **3. Alternation of Power** In a democratic system, government of political parties do not always belong to the majority party. Time comes that they will become part of the minority party. This is evident in a democratic system of government. Power is alternated. No leader or party stays in power forever nor can they hold the position for as long as they like. Democratic states exercise alternation of power which means that \"the reins of power will occasionally alternate, both in terms of actual officeholders and in terms of prevailing ideas". **4. Popular Representation** People cannot individually tell to the government their respective interests and demands. In representative democratic governments people vote for legislators and leaders who will serve as their voice in the national government. [They elect representatives] and senators in Congress and in the Senate respectively to promote the welfare and protect interests of their constituents. In the Philippines, at least 200 districts in the entire country are represented by congressional representatives or a congressman or congresswoman. In the Senate, there are 24 senators who represent the interests of the Filipinos. **5. Majority Rule** Government decisions are not made under a consensus. It is not always 100% acceptable to all parties concerned. During elections, not everyone choose a single candidate. So how do representative democratic governments decide on which policy will be implemented or who will be allowed to govern the country? Well, the answer is simple. It is through the rule of the majority. Under this democratic element, the decision of the majority would have to be respected and followed by everyone. Those who got the greatest number of support or approval will have to be accepted and implemented. Those who got majority number of votes get elected in public office. It\'s a procedure that was adopted by the Athenians since the time of ancient Greece. It must be noted, however, that the majority rule system in a democracy must have certain limitations. Majority rule [must not be utilized to coerce, oppress, or trample upon the rights of the minority.] When minority rights are not respected, the will of the majority becomes the tyranny of the majority. In a democracy, it is the duty of the majority block to persuade members of the minority to join them. They should not be coerced or forced to join the majority. Their right to object or to dissent must be respected and protected by the state. **6. Recognition of Rights to Dissent and Disobedience** Democratic governments preserve the rights of people to free expressions and actions. As such, people have the right to resist the orders and policies of the government if they believe that it is again the will of the people. In contemporary times, right to dissent and disobedience can be seen when people conduct strikes, rallies, an mass demonstrations to show their displeasure to the policies of the government. The 1986 EDSA Peoples\' Power Revolution is a perfect example of how Filipinos showed their disgust to the government. In February 1986, Filipinos went to EDSA to demonstrate and show their resistance against President Ferdinand Marcos. Filipinos went to the streets of EDSA to show President Marcos and the rest of the world that the dictator\'s regime and policies and his unconstitutional reelection in February 1986 were against the will of the people. This nonviolent show of force of Filipinos and their victory at EDSA when President Marcos left the country in 1986 showed that democracy in the Philippines is still alive. **7. Political Equality** In representative democratic governments, people have equal rights to run for public office. If a person satisfies the fundamental requirements to be able to run in a particular government position, then he or she has the right to be elected. The idea of political equality is criticized by many political scientist because equality does not really exist in politics. They argue that only those with financial resources, political connections, and popularity are given chances to be elected in public office. Although this argument is most of the time, democratic countries have developed ways to provide marginalized groups and sectors voice and representation in government. In the Philippines, government has a mechanism for more people to enjoy political equality. The creation of the party-list system gave proportional representations in the Lower House (House of Representatives) of the marginalized or underrepresented national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations in the Philippines. The party-list system lets smaller political parties, marginalized, underrepresented, and financially inadequate sectors to be given a voice in Congress as they represent the voiceless sectors of society. Some of these sectors include the women\'s sector, labor groups, migrants groups, teachers, farmers, indigenous groups, and the urban poor sector. However, it must be noted that although the intention of the party-list system is noble, it has been used by some politicians and the elite as a mechanism to enter government. What usually happens is that politicians who cannot run for reelection in Congress or the members of the Filipino elite would usually run as a representative of party-list group even if they do not represent the said marginalized or organization. They do not represent the sector because they are not part of the marginalized or underrepresented sector. This controversy on the party-list system became a trend in the congress that is why there are moves to abolish the party-list system in the Philippines. **8. Popular Consultation** Governments serve the interests of the people. But does government learn about the needs and interest of the people? This is done through consultations. Government must be responsive to the demands and needs of its constituents. They must learn from public opinion the different ways on how a government can best serve its people. [There are different ways on how government consults with its people.] Public opinion can be taken through survey polls. Mass media act as important conduit of government so that it can understand the grievances, and needs of the people. Town hall meetings, press conferences, and other related strategies are employed by the national and local governments to get the sentiments of the people. **9. Free Press** Democratic institutions treasure the proliferation of free press. It means that members of the media have the right to express, say or write what they think or feel. Free press informs people, raises people\'s awareness, and tell people how effective or ineffective government is. [Absence of freedom of the press creates an environment for dictatorship.] Like what happened in the Philippines during the Martial Laws years (1972-1981), President Marcos suppressed free press. Media was shut down and only the pro-Marcos propaganda were allowed to circulate in the news. The abolition of free press during the Marcos dictatorship proves the absence of democracy during the Martial Law Years. **IV. DEMOCRACY AND THE EXERCISE OF CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS** Democracy values the people\'s civil and political rights. [These rights serve as the cornerstone of democratic institutions.] In a democracy, people enjoy the freedom of religion, movement, assembly, association, expression, and information. They also exercise their rights to personal security, protection against arbitrary detention, and right to a fair trial. Governments must ensure that the political and civil rights of the people are protected and exercised. Government accountability to protect the people is considered sacred in a democracy. Elected officials are answerable to its electorate to ensure their reelection. [Legal philosopher Ronald Dworkin (1990) describes vividly how political and civil rights serve as important pillars of democracy.] He contends that the real concepts of democracy is not merely \"statistical democracy\" which refers to what a majority of plurality of people wants and considers as legitimate on the basis of their number. Real democracy, on the other hand, is \"communal democracy and it exists if the legitimate decision was made by a majority \"within a community of equals." Communal democracy, Dworkin explains[, does not mean \"that everyone must be allowed to participate in politics as an equal, through the vote and through the freedom of speech and protest\"]. Rather, communal democracy as a real form of democracy is characterized by the following: 1\. Political decisions must be rendered to everyone \"with equal concern and respect.\" 2\. The basic civil and political rights of every individual person are guaranteed. 3\. Civil and political rights of a citizen cannot be taken away from him or her on the basis of a person\'s race, morals, or way of life. **V. CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY** Presence of civil society is also necessary in a democratic state. Civil society is defined as intermediate organizations in between the primary units of society that includes individuals, families, clans, ethnic groups, and the government agencies and institutions. The network of private organizations including the parties and the different private voluntary organizations can be considered as civil society. Civil society is an important condition but its presence is not enough to say that democracy really exists. For democracy to exist, civil society must have the freedom to express their sentiments as individuals or collectively in matters pertaining to both political and nonpolitical issues and topics. The nature and structure of civil society differs in many countries. It must be noted that a healthy democratic state must have independent civil society institutions. Recently, the emergence of global civil society has been prominent in the international arena. These organizations have become global because these civil society organizations and their respective agenda are no longer confined to a particular geographic territory. All these organizations operate around the world and organize \"cross-border social activities, business, and politics outside the borders of government structures\". Global civil society has reached an international audience and its influence has been global as well. The rise of global civil society can be attributed to the increasing threats of nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare to humanity. The worldwide dangers of disasters, diseases, political and social injustice, discrimination, environmental degradation, and poverty became the primary reasons for the formation of global civil society groups and organizations. Some of these organizations that turned global include Amnesty International, Transparency International, Indigenous Peoples Bio-Diversity Network, Shack/Slum Dwellers International, and others. John Keane describes global civil society as nongovernment structures and activities composed of individuals, households, profit seeking businesses, not-for-profit NGOs, coalitions, social movements, linguistic communities, and cultural identities. Global civil society also includes aid organizations, think-tanks, famous individuals, campaign and lobby groups, trade unions, and independent media. **INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY: DIMENSIONS, BENEFITS, AND CHALLENGES**  **INTRODUCTION** Information and Communications Technology (ICT) traces its beginning in the Industrial Revolution. It is considered as a sector that falls under the larger umbrella of Information Economy (IE), an economy characterized by the intensive use of ICT by businesses for the collection, storage, processing, and transmission of information. ICT industries enable the processing, communication, transmission, and display of information using electronic means. What is ICT? What are the main industries in the ICT sector? How does ICT contribute to Philippine and world economy? This lesson looks into the nature, dimensions, and contributions of ICT. **I. NATURE OF ICT** **Information and Communications Technology** or Technologies usually abbreviated as ICT, refers to a category of terms that cover any *form of communication device or application, including radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems, and the various services and applications related with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. (TechTarget, 2016) The development of ICT traces its roots from as far back as the Industrial Revolution but it is still considered as a relatively new sector in contributing to the Philippine economy.* **II. FOUR DIMENSIONS OF ICT** The far-reaching implications of ICT not just in business but also in the delivery of social services have made it a part of the global agenda of the United Nations. The **World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS**) which took place in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005, was the first major United Nations event dedicated in relating the use of ICT in improving people\'s quality of life and for them to reach their fullest potential within the larger framework of sustainable development and human rights. ICT is built on four dimensions-computing, communications, content, and human capacity- although less focus was given to computers in the WSIS forum. The reason may be because the trend for computing and other hardware shows a decline in the prices. In using ICT as an instrument for development, it is in to point out that even if the hardware is free (e.g., donated by a organization), communication, software, and training still require financing and in most cases, expensive.  The unprecedented growth of the ICT industry in the past decades has helped the world economy increase as well. The Philippines has similarly experienced this upward trend in the use of ICT industries. In 2010, a survey of the PSA has reported that about 97% of the 2,122 IE establishments used computer and other hardware in their business operations. Nowadays, it is almost unthinkable for any business to run without the use of ICT. Some examples of ICT industry segments include broadcast media, semiconductors and electronic, IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM), software applications and telecommunications. **1. Computing** Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes and development of both hardware and software. It has scientific, engineering, mathematical, technological and social aspects. Continuous innovation in the types of computer technology have been taking place so much that today\'s networks and device are capable or more complicated and sophisticated functions than those in 2003 and 2005. Moore\'s Law is used to describe the pace of change in ICT capabilities. This law makes the observation that the capacity of critical ICT components, networks, and devices has been doubling every eighteen months to two years for the past five decades. This has a tremendous impact on the capabilities of networks and devices not just at present but on the opportunities for even more explosive growth in the future. Some of the emerging trends in computer technology are the transition to broadband, cloud computing and cloud economy, datafication, data management and big data analysis, and the use of smart systems. Each of these trends will be discussed in greater detail. **2. Communications** One of the most dramatic changes that have taken place in the communications is the rapid spread of mobile telephony. Before the advent of mobile networks, connections per **teledensity** or the number of telephone connections per one hundred people in a specified geographic area, in many less developed country is less than 1%. By 2010, mobile developing countries had reached an astounding two-thirds of population. Greater connectivity is also facilitated by the fact mobile telephones can offer viable Internet access. This trends toward using mobile phones since 2010 continues. Eighty-si percent of telephone subscriptions worldwide have already turned to mobile, including eighty-nine percent in developing ninety-eight percent in sub-Saharan Africa as of 2015. Developing countries have felt the impact the most where, for the first time people are allowed to communicate instantaneously at a distance wherever they may be for as long as there is an existing network that services the area. **Third generation networks (3G)** that enable Internet access are now available in both developed and developing countries, though it may be unreliable in some rural areas. Higher capacity (4G) networks are also now available. Mobile devices have become the primary mode of Internet access for many users not only in developed, but also in developing countries. This trend is expected to continue.  **3. Content** The meaningful usage and deployment of ICT is carried out if it is applied specific development goals like literacy, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. This means that the relevance of ICT is tied to its ability to be integrated into the delivery of traditional services like education, business, and employment. Transformation of these traditional services means having an e-learning, e-business, and e-employment In small and medium scale enterprises, for instance, ICT enables more cost-effective sourcing supplies, greater market reach and better quality of goods. ICT can also improve supply chain management and reduce information asymmetry among producers, traders, retailers, and consumers thereby improving market efficiency. However, these benefits from ICT are only likely to be utilized by established entrepreneurs rather than subsistence producers would still have very limited access and infrastructure to embrace fully the technology. **4. Human Capacity** It is important to acquire all the necessary skills and knowledge related to ICT in order to understand, participate actively in, and benefit fully from ICT and the knowledge economy. Improving human capacity means ICT in education and training at all levels of society including distance learning. It also involves the promotion of e-literacy skills, particularly for women and girls, young people, and other disadvantaged groups. Lastly, there has to be capacity-building among leaders and operational staff in developing countries and less developed countries, including local communities in the rural and underserved areas, and information professionals. **III. BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES IN ICT** During periods of slow growth and uncertainty in the market, more economies are looking for ways to stimulate growth and create new jobs. ICT does not only provide jobs to millions of people around the world, but it is also a stimulant of innovation and business expansion. New and more technologies are needed for the continuous competitiveness of businesses and an indispensable tool for industry leaders to stay on top. Some of the other benefits of ICT are the following. **1. Direct job creation** The ICT industry is, and continues to be one of the largest sources of employment. In the United States, jobs in the ICT sector are expected to grow by 22% thereby creating 758,800 new jobs. In Australia , the building and running of the new National Broadband Network is expected to create 25,000 jobs annually. In 2013 global technology market grew by 8%, creating jobs, salaries a wide range of products and services that not only help ind persons and businesses, but more importantly, contribute to th continuing growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This same benefit is also experienced here in the Philippines According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), of the 202.794 formal establishments recorded in 2011, 8.3% belong to core ICT group and support or peripheral ICT group, which employs a total of 915,915 workers. From the core ICT group, the most number of establishments are found in ICT enabled services, broadcast media, and computer hardware, while the ones that employs the most number of workers are IT-BPM, electronics and semiconductors, and computer hardware firms. **2. Emergence of new services and industries** The emergence of ICT paved the way for public services to gain greater accessibility by using online channels and mobile phones. The key trend for modernization is the transition to cloud computing. The government of Moldova is one of the first countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to shift the government IT infrastructure into the cloud and started using mobile and e-services for its citizens and businesses. ICT has also led to the creation of a complete new sector, which is the app industry. Studies show that Facebook app alone has created more than 182,000 jobs in 2011, a that the aggregate value of the Facebook app economy exceeds USD 12 billion **3. Transformation of the workforce** ICT has pushed the boundaries of the work place structure. Being employed nowadays does not have to mean being physically present in an actual company or establishment. A new platform called \"microwork\" which is literally the smallest unit of work in a virtual assembly line, can employ people located at remotest of areas and bring income to their household without even stepping out of their abode. This new business model is developed by companies like Upwork, Amazon, and Samasource which allows people to sign up online to do bite-sized computer-based tasks like translating chunks of text into different languages for an electronic firm wanting a local translation for its books. Online outsourcing of workers allows businesses to significantly reduce costs and gain access to people who are willing and qualified to do the jobs that need to be done. In 2012, Upwork, formerly called oDesk, had over 3 million registered contractors who performed 1.5 million tasks, some of which includes web and mobile development, blog and content writing, transcription, web research, email automation, and even tax accounting. This change in the structure of the work and the work force has contributed to the rise of entrepreneurship, making it easier for self-starters to access all the needed tools and information, marketing and even investment resources to ensure a successful enterprise. **4. Business innovation** ICT provides all the needed tools for business expansion and innovation. These days, most businesses prefer to fully employ all that ICT has to offer in terms of bringing more efficiency in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of their goods and services. Countries that belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) were reported to have more than 95% of their businesses having an online presence. The Internet obviously provides these businesses with greater access to customers enabling them to have a larger portion of the market share. Over the past few years, social networking sites have proven themselves as effective and powerful marketing tools. The inability to innovate and rise above competition can be fatal for business. Nokia, which used to be an industry leader in the manufacturing and sale of handset phones has succumbed to major losses, which eventually led to the sale of the company in 2013 to another industry giant, Microsoft. *While the potential benefits of ICT are abundant, some challenges still needs to be addressed in order to maximize the full gains from investing in this technology.* **1. Computing**-Personal computers are still prohibitively expensive for many. This is the reason why shared access through community centers and cybercafés is still practiced. Some of the other costs that come with computer ownership come from maintenance of security, upgrades, compatibility of the hardware and software, and adding accessory devices like printers, scanners, speakers, and the like. Complementary technologies that are non-PC devices like mobile phones should be made into a viable option. **2. Connectivity**-Mobile telephony has improved worldwide but it still remains expensive, limited, and unreliable in rural areas and remote islands, and poor at providing data connection. **3. Content**-In several cases, content is not meaningful or locally relevant to the end users. The system today tends to make the consumers passive recipient of information instead of creators and producers of local information. In addition, rich content required multimedia, which, in turn, requires a consistent and reliable broadband connectivity. **4. Human Capacity**-Computer literacy remains a challenge. Users need to be aware, literate, and innovative to maximize the full gains from ICT. Just as reading and mathematical literacy are con as priorities and necessities by both the state and society, the same should be true for ICT. ICT is a language of its own. People are empowered if they can master this language. **IV. ICT AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS** The influence of ICT is no longer confined in the fields of technology, business, or in the academe. The political sphere has also felt the presence of this worldwide phenomenon. ICT through social media has been proven capable of ushering social movements. Britannica has defined social movement as a loosely organized but sustained campaign which supports a social goal. This goal can either be an implementation or the prevention of a change in society\'s structure or values. The size of social movements differs but the action is essentially collective. People more or less gather together in a spontaneous fashion driven by a common outlook on a specific that concerns the larger society. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ How does ICT revolutionize the process of information dissemination How does it become an instrument of social mobilization? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The impact of ICT in ushering in social movements can be historically traced all the way from December 2010 when citizens of the Arab world used social media as an instrument for organizing and rallying large numbers of people resulting in a string popular uprising in the region referred to as the Arab Spring. The result is spectacular. Countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya were able to oust dictators and corrupt regimes whose powers have gone uncheck for the longest time. The social media arm of ICT has also led to the formation of \'occupy movements\', or movements that have no set of leaders, no official set of demands, and no projected outcomes. It is simply a laboratory of participatory democracy. In the United States, there was \'Occupy Wall Street\', which denounced economic injustice and protests against the greed of corporate America. In Hong Kong, there is the \'Umbrella movement\', which called for fully free elections of Hong Kong executives that is free from interference from Mainland China. These movements may not be able to boast success in terms of correcting the problems they are protesting about, but it has created enough awareness and political engagement from its constituents. **Neural and Social Networks in the 21st Century** **Neural and Social Networks** **Overview** This discusses the concepts of neural networks and social networks, and how they relate to 21st century skills and culture. It covers the following key topics: 1\. Connections, relationships, and networks 2\. Different types of networks (human, knowledge, computer, trade, ecological) 3\. Networking and its importance 4\. Linkages vs. networks 5\. Social networking and social media platforms 6\. The human brain and neural networks **What are Neural Networks?** Neural networks are a type of computer architecture that is inspired by the connections and structure of the human brain. They are made up of interconnected processing units called neurons that can transmit signals to each other. Neurons communicate through electrical and chemical signals, passing messages rapidly through the network.  The brain is composed of neurons that form a complex network, allowing it to regulate the functions of the body. Similarly, the neurons in an artificial neural network work together to process information and \"learn\" from data, making them well-suited for tasks like pattern recognition and problem-solving. **Neural Networks** Neural networks are a computational approach based on a large number of interconnected artificial neurons. They are loosely modeled after the way the human brain solves problems, with large clusters of biological neurons connected by axons in the nervous system. Some key characteristics of neural networks include: \- They are designed to mimic the way the human brain processes information, with interconnected nodes (artificial neurons) that can transmit signals to each other. \- The network is able to \"learn\" by adjusting the connections between these nodes based on input data, allowing it to perform tasks like pattern recognition, classification, and prediction. \- Neural networks are used in a variety of applications, from image recognition to natural language processing. **Types of Networks** \- Human networks: Social structures composed of connected individuals with a common goal. \- Knowledge networks: Groups of individuals and resources that collaborate to create new knowledge. \- Computer/data networks: Interconnected nodes that can transmit, receive, and exchange data. \- Trade networks: Patterns of economic exchange between companies or countries. \- Ecological networks: Interactions between species within a community. **Networking** \- Networking is the outreach of resources to increase effectiveness of a program or goal. \- It strengthens work teams, helps advocate issues, provides credibility, and solves problems. \- Linkages involve connections between two groups to assist each other, while networks connect multiple groups in a larger system. **What are Social Networks?** Social networks, on the other hand, refer to the interconnected web of social relationships and interactions between individuals or groups. They are made up of people who communicate, share information, and collaborate with each other to achieve common goals or interests. In the modern digital age, social networking platforms and apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp have become a ubiquitous part of daily life, enabling people to connect, share content, and participate in social activities online. **Social Networks** Social networking refers to the practice of expanding one\'s business and social contacts by making connections through individuals, often via social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Some important aspects of social networks include: \- The \"six degrees of separation\" concept, which suggests that any two people on the planet are connected by no more than six intermediary connections. \- The ability for users to interact, share content, and build relationships with others in their network. \- The use of social networks for professional networking, customer service, and brand promotion. \- The rapid growth and global influence of social media platforms in the 21st century. **Linkages and Networking** Linkages and networking refer to the relationships and connections established between organizations, schools, and communities for mutual benefit and assistance. Some key differences: \- Linkages involve looser, one-on-one connections, while networking implies stronger, collaborative relationships with common objectives. \- Linkages can occur at the national, local, or international level, while networking tends to be more extensive. \- Examples of linkages include cross-enrollment programs between universities, joint research projects, and community partnerships. Overall, the concepts of neural networks, social networks, and organizational linkages/networking are all important aspects of 21st century connections, relationships, and information sharing. Understanding these topics can provide valuable insights into modern communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. **Similarities and Differences** Both neural networks and social networks share some key similarities: \- They are composed of interconnected nodes (neurons or people) that influence and interact with each other. \- The connections and relationships within the network are crucial for its function and ability to transmit information. \- There is an emphasis on collaboration, participation, and the exchange of information to achieve a common purpose. However, there are also important differences: \- Neural networks are made up of biological neurons, while social networks consist of human beings. \- Neural networks process information through electrical and chemical signals, while social networks utilize verbal, non-verbal, and technological means of communication. \- The responses generated by neural networks tend to be more immediate and standardized, while social network responses can vary more widely depending on individual perspectives and contexts. **Importance and Applications** Both neural networks and social networks play critical roles in their respective domains: \- Neural networks are essential for the proper functioning of the human body, as they regulate all bodily processes and allow the brain to interpret and respond to stimuli. \- Social networks are vital for the organization and cohesion of human societies, enabling the exchange of information, the development of relationships, and the achievement of collective goals. In the 21st century, the rapid advancement of technology has led to the increasing integration of neural and social networks. For example, social networks can now leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques (which are based on neural network principles) to improve user experiences, target advertising, and analyze data. Understanding the similarities and differences between these two types of networks can provide valuable insights into how individuals, communities, and societies function and adapt to an ever-changing world. **Connections, Relationships, and Networks** \- A network is a group of individuals who collaborate to achieve a shared purpose and connection. \- Connections refer to something that joins two or more objects or individuals, while relationships describe the state or condition of being connected. \- Connections can exist between individuals, events, and objects (e.g. global warming is connected to forest fires). \- Relationships involve a deeper level of commitment and connection between individuals or groups. **The Human Brain and Neural Networks** \- The human brain is the command center of the nervous system, controlling functions like thoughts, memory, speech, and organ function. \- The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells called neurons that communicate through electrical impulses. \- Key parts of the brain include the cerebrum (higher functions), cerebellum (coordinates movement), and brainstem (automatic functions). \- The neural network structure of the brain allows for complex processing and integration of information.