The informational-communicative risks of actively transitioning political relations to the web

In: Vestnik Instituta sociologii: setevoj žurnal = Bulletin of the Institute of Sociology : online electronic journal, Band 30, Heft 3, S. 12-21

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical aspects of transitioning political relations to the web, together with the informational-communicative risks associated with this process. It is highlighted that one of the relevant aspects of studying issues of a new social reality is linked to a rather rapid expansion of network structures within society, which leads to corresponding shifts in its social-political relations. As a result, the political realm is subject to significant change: notably, according to a number of experts, this leads to a gradual deterioration of traditional social institutions. As such, we can confidently claim that political activity, it being influenced by a transition to the web, is undergoing drastic change right before our eyes. That said it has to be mentioned that the substantial positive potential of our new network reality is also linked to a number of serious issues. Without a doubt, informational-network communicative technologies will take a serious toll on the morphology of social relations, which in many respects still rely on traditional hierarchies. We should also bear in mind that a drastic shift in social topology will inevitably lead to an increase in danger, risk and conflict in the social-political realm, which will be very difficult to predict due to the inherent nature of network structures. Development of risks or lack thereof is determined by the manner in which a network is used, which is why only the potentials of risks are linked to the nature of networks. The expert community warns us about severe threats to security and stability which our new social reality brings with it. It should be noted that in this day it is important to appeal to a range of issues which includes informational-communicative risks in the realm of political relations. Actual controversy in an informational-communicative society is associated with increased risk. In the author's opinion, as of today our new social reality is insufficiently conceptualized as an area of research. So far it lacks any sort of concepts which are universally recognized or even acceptable in the eyes of the vast majority of the scientific community. Difficulties in studying the features which characterize postindustrial development, as well as components of the latter such as globalization, informatization, transitioning to the web, are in no small part linked to rapid changes in our social reality, which prevent the effective use of past achievements in theoretical science as an analytical tool. Social-political relations and processes exhibit a high degree of dynamism, together with significant uncertainty. In its development an information society involuntarily broadens the spectrum of risky situations, which warrants serious changes in organizing control over informational-communicative risks in society, as well as developing and implementing effective informational policy.