Social Media's Influence on Politics and Governance - Social media has weakened the power of party leaders, enabling individuals to express extreme views and raise funds independently [1][2] - Social media is perceived as a tool to challenge established institutions, including the "deep state" or bureaucracy [2][3] - Social media can enforce discipline within government agencies, as officials fear being targeted and potentially fired for stepping out of line [5] Concerns and Counterarguments - Over-reliance on social media feedback and extreme voices may lead to poor decision-making and disregard for expertise within government agencies like HHS, FEMA, and CDC [7] - Some argue that experience and expertise in government roles (e g, State Department, CDC) are valuable and should not be dismissed [10][12] - There's a concern that leaders are excessively influenced by their social media base, even when it contradicts established facts or their own previous positions [17][19] The Nature of Online Political Engagement - The online environment is described as a "civil war in cyberspace," where extreme voices dominate and normal people may not actively participate [9][24] - Politicians are adapting to social media by constantly testing reactions and adjusting their positions based on feedback, acting like influencers [21][23] - Politicians are increasingly using social media to bypass traditional consultants and media, establishing a direct relationship with their base [22] Populism and Political Stability - There's a concern about the rise of populism and the potential consequences if competent, technocratic governments fail to address societal problems [27]