Social networks and globalization: Facebook, YouTube and the impact of online communities on France's protectionist policies

Abstract

As the Internet continues to evolve, new uses for digital communication tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube continue to increase beyond expectations, creating large global communities acting in concert for social, environmental and even political change. Although a direct affront to authoritarian governments, this explosion of international online communities raises questions for nations like France and its policies to protect its own unique culture from outside invasion. Yet as part of a trend toward globalization, scores of participating citizens are transcending France's cultural borders to join these powerful online communities and in turn, bypassing established policies concerning the free flow of information, isolation and protectionism. The example in France offers an opportunity to explore online social networks and their possible impact on France's cultural protectionist policies and globalization.