Why social media revolutions are doomed

Tanker-loads of ink have been spilled writing about the democratizing effect of social media.

On the face of it, the ability to gather up thousands of people in a public square on a whim seems democratizing enough.

Unfortunately, flash-mob politics has a short shelf life.

Ultimately the novelty and the immediate rush wear off. And then what?

In Egypt, the Army has now issued Morsi an ultimatum; accommodate the protesters or the Army will step in.

Erdogan faces the same fate.

The technology of democratization will lead us back to military control.

How democratizing is that?