Did you ever asked yourself if new technologies are impacting the way societies, and in particular democracies work? How powerful are big tech companies such as Google in today’s societies? What are their relations with “the state”? Do we need to adapt our democratic processes in a world where technologies are present in virtually all aspects of our life?
This reading group will explore the effects of recent technological developments on democratic processes. In particular, the discussion will focus on how factors such as the rise of big tech companies, the centralisation of data, as well as the constantly evolving social structures shaped by media platforms influence democracy. While “technology” is a broad concept, we will focus on information technology. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, used by both private and state actors, we will ask ourselves the following important questions: which of these actors are committed to democratic values? What are the motivations behind the development of specific technologies? Are these motivations compatible with democratic norms or are they violating civil liberties and significantly shifting power relations in our societies?
To discuss these questions, we will start by reading “Democracy Hacked, How Technology is Destabilising Global Politics” by Martin Moore (2018). This book presents and discusses concrete examples in which technology is affecting societies, and in particular democracies. The book has a rather practical/evidence-based focus and is not too theoretical. It should therefore be a good introduction to the topic and lead to interesting discussion.
During the second part of the semester, we will read parts of the book “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” by Soshana Zuboff (2018). Probably more challenging to read, this second book introduces different concepts that should help us understand how the structure of the society is changing when powerful actors such as Google or Meta (the “surveillance capitalists”) are taking control over significant parts of our world.
Ort: Zürich
Zeitplan: Pro Semesterhälfte ca. 5 Treffen à ca. 90 Minuten
Arbeitssprache(n): Englisch und Deutsch
Leitung: Mathieu Dubied
Organisation: Stefano Aloise
Administration: Michelle Hug
Anzahl TN: Nicht fest, nach Anzahl der Anmeldungen
Zielpublikum: Alle Studierenden aller Studienrichtungen.
Vorbereitungsarbeiten / Unterlagen:
Siehe Bibliographie und Hinweise der Leiter*innen nach der Bestätigung der Teilnahme.
Anmeldefrist: 15th July 2024
