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The Power of Free as a Catalyst for Political Revolution

In: Law and Economics in Europe and the U.S

Author

Listed:
  • Dennis W. K. Khong

    (Multimedia University)

  • P. C. Lim

    (Yokohama National University)

Abstract

This paper makes the case that the free and open source software (FOSS) together with free online communication platforms played an important catalytic role in the rise of this modern form of political revolution. We show that the two aspects of ‘free’, both in terms of freedom to reuse computer codes and free as in zero price, together with positive network effect social media systems, played a not insignificant role in the rise of recent political events such as the Arab Spring of 2011 and other subsequent similar events in Hong Kong and Taiwan by making heavy use of the Internet, social media websites and mobile apps as a means of communications and mass dissemination of message. The culmination of these forces is a set of evolving information technology tools to support the expansion of the voice of the citizenry and the growth of political revolutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis W. K. Khong & P. C. Lim, 2016. "The Power of Free as a Catalyst for Political Revolution," The European Heritage in Economics and the Social Sciences, in: Alain Marciano & Giovanni Battista Ramello (ed.), Law and Economics in Europe and the U.S, pages 89-107, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:euhchp:978-3-319-47471-7_6
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-47471-7_6
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