Election and the Internet
A recent BusinessWeek has two stories that reflect how the world is changing. It is about the upcoming elections in both, the US and Korea and the role that the Internet plays in the two events. The player in the US is former Vermont Governor Howard Dean while in Korea, it is President Roh Moo Hyuan.
The major difference? The Koreans know how to play the game and their candidate did not only make decisive online moves in the last election but is coming from behind in this election as well - and quickly gaining ground. He is coming from behind, because the party he is representing is actually a split from their former party.
Dean's campain, on the other hand, is falting - he seems to be out of the race, while about two months back, he was the frontrunner.
What could have been the difference between the two that in one country, Internet campaigns are successful, while in the other one, it is failing?
Could it be that Korea is THE county? The country is full with broadband connections - more than 70% have such fastspeed connection. A lot goes through the Internet, and there are plenty of support communities. Individual activists take matters in their own hand - develop campaigns, even blacklist candidates that are corrupt. This is experience economy at its finest. When community groups work together and become decisive.
I can only imagine how it looks in the States, but I believe, that Koreans are more vocal, while in the US, elections are much more decided via "old economy" moves - voter come together in an hall and listen to the candidate. Donations are collected through the web - not more, probably. So it is a very one-sided affair. Less connection of the candidate with the people.
Or - Kerry, the current front runner, was able to copy all the right moves by Dean and shot ahead, while in Korea, the other parties just don't get it, and THEY are the one, who fail to jump on the wagon of the New Economy.
Makes me think! But it is clear - the old economy and the new economy clash in one more area - and change the landscape, how elections are run, forever!
The major difference? The Koreans know how to play the game and their candidate did not only make decisive online moves in the last election but is coming from behind in this election as well - and quickly gaining ground. He is coming from behind, because the party he is representing is actually a split from their former party.
Dean's campain, on the other hand, is falting - he seems to be out of the race, while about two months back, he was the frontrunner.
What could have been the difference between the two that in one country, Internet campaigns are successful, while in the other one, it is failing?
Could it be that Korea is THE county? The country is full with broadband connections - more than 70% have such fastspeed connection. A lot goes through the Internet, and there are plenty of support communities. Individual activists take matters in their own hand - develop campaigns, even blacklist candidates that are corrupt. This is experience economy at its finest. When community groups work together and become decisive.
I can only imagine how it looks in the States, but I believe, that Koreans are more vocal, while in the US, elections are much more decided via "old economy" moves - voter come together in an hall and listen to the candidate. Donations are collected through the web - not more, probably. So it is a very one-sided affair. Less connection of the candidate with the people.
Or - Kerry, the current front runner, was able to copy all the right moves by Dean and shot ahead, while in Korea, the other parties just don't get it, and THEY are the one, who fail to jump on the wagon of the New Economy.
Makes me think! But it is clear - the old economy and the new economy clash in one more area - and change the landscape, how elections are run, forever!
posted by Andreas @ 8:24 pm
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