Abstract:
In an ever-evolving technological landscape, conflict analysis and resolution (CAR)
practitioners are faced with the unique task of working in a rapidly changing landscape
that is susceptible to the reliance on and impact of global information communication
technologies (ICTs). Within the last few years, mobile ICTs such as Facebook, Twitter
and SMS have played a prominent role in social movement activities; providing CAR
practitioners with an opportunity to study and to research how collective action is shaped
by the purposeful use of mobile ICTs.
This Masters thesis seeks to better understand the relationship and interplay between
mobile ICT use and social movements by asking: how does the use of mobile ICTs
impact the behaviour of social movement participants? With a focus on social movement
activity in Egypt, this research seeks to understand if and how the use of mobile ICTs has impacted the scale, pace and pattern of the behaviour of participants engaged in social
resistance. Informed through an extensive literature review and an interview based
quantitative analysis, this research seeks to create a base of understanding that can be
built upon through additional research and analysis. Mobile communication and ICT use
is a pervasive means of communication throughout the world; its impact on conflict is
still a touch elusive which makes this a moment ripe for analysis. The use of mobile ICTs
is not a fading phenomenon, and as such, the CAR field is best served to begin
understanding the power and implications of these evolving technologies and
communication tools as they impact conflict and its resolution.
