About the Author: Alec Ross serves as the Secretary of State’s Senior Advisor for Innovation.

Reflecting on 2011, it is obvious that connection technologies are playing an ever-greater role in shaping the world around us. The beginning of the year witnessed the events of the Arab Spring, with political movements organized and accelerated with the help of social media. This past fall, the world watched videos online that were captured on smart-phones by Syrian activists, documenting attacks on peaceful protests. The world watched as hundreds were injured and killed by their government for exercising their universal rights. And just weeks ago, demonstrations in Russia were organized online to protest allegations of election fraud, with social media influencers playing important roles.

As information networks become more ubiquitous and powerful, new movements and power structures are forming, others are being disrupted, and the speed of communications is making… more »