Analyzing the role of social networks in the formation of social unrest in November 2018 in Iran

Hosseini Jiredehi, Hossein; Bavandpuri, Mohammad; Mahmoudi Raja, Syed Zakaria

Analyzing the role of social networks in the formation of social unrest in November 2018 in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Crisis Management, Imam Hossein University

² Imam Hossein University (AS), College of the Great Prophet (PBUH).

³ PhD in political science. Allameh Tabatabai University

Abstract

The widespread penetration of virtual space and internet tools created a dynamic and mobile lifestyle in the lives of modern people. According to these developments, different levels and dimensions of social-political governance of governments, communication networking and interactions of citizens were noticeably and secretly affected. This has created opportunities and threats for the progress of governments, citizens, strata, classes and mutual relations between them.
ideological, civilizational battle and the model of governance with the domination system at the world level. In this direction, in the continuation of soft battles with the aim of continuing street riots and riots in virtual and satellite space, combined measures such as (mass mobilization of protestors, unity of oppositions and opponents, ethnic-religious separatism, inciting emotions and instrumental use of some environmental problems and dilemmas) and economic and...) have been used against the achievements of the revolution. In this research, an attempt was made to answer the main question of how social networks played a role in the riots of November 1998 in Iran, using the qualitative method and using the conceptual model of soft war and cognitive battle. The findings of the research with the analysis of internet sources, confessions of some neglected ones and the talks of related experts as well as the use of document-library sources indicated that the membership of the majority of the country's young population in virtual networks and non-native platforms is the right ground for the deep advancement of soft war and hybrid tactics.

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