How Facebook has changed the way we govern

[Commentary] There’s no doubt Facebook has changed the way we communicate with each other. What can often be lost, however, is that it’s also changed how we communicate with institutions, brands and, perhaps most importantly here in Washington, with our elected officials.

Got a question for Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)? Ask her on Facebook, where she writes her own updates. Curious how Rep Justin Amash (R-MI) voted? Go to Facebook. Want to offer your ideas for your country’s new constitution? If you’re Icelandic, you could have gone to Facebook. Facebook’s evolution into a political tool may not have been in the original blueprint, but it illustrates one of the many odd turns the social network has taken in its 10 years of existence. Facebook is open to all, and the 2007 addition of politician profiles gave candidates a way to reach more followers than the original 5,000-person cap would allow. Plus, the site has 180 million users in the US -- a greater percentage of the country than the part of it that votes. Now, a campaign team has to think about Facebook (and Twitter) in the earliest stages of their campaigns or risk looking woefully out of touch. And it’s become a prime way to advertise. Facebook has also had a surprising effect on voter turnout.