When Leviathan Encounters Unicorns: Governance Challenges and New Technologies

• In Event: Information Technology and Politics; Formal Theory; and American Political Thought Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual Poster Session: Information Technology and Politics Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

The use of new technologies represented by the Internet, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing has not only completely changed the production and management systems, but also subverted almost all industries, and profoundly changed the way social resources are allocated and the operating modes of social organizations. The promoters and masters behind this are the large new technology companies that are accelerating their rise. Such companies and the new technological revolution they promoted have spawned “new political space” and formed a “technical rule” that may have a subversive impact on government governance and political operations. Tensions between governments and technology companies are increasing worldwide. The accelerated rise of new technology giants and the widespread application of emerging technologies may have a disruptive effect on government governance and political operations. When Leviathan encounters unicorns, how does the rise of a large new technology company affect national governance state capacity? Is it weakened or strengthened?
Based on dataset from 50 countries in the world in 2018, this paper uses exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to construct a three-dimensional "enterprise technology power" and a three-dimensional "national capability" measurement tool. Through empirical analysis, this research finds that: First, with the expansion of the online users, market power and intervention capability of large new technology companies, the state capacity with the core of absorptive capacity, coercive ability and administrative capacity has been weakened; second, the new technology turns out to be both a hidden danger of political security and an important partner for consolidating state capacity. When the government and new technology companies cooperate, the weakening of state capacity caused by power struggles can be avoided.The results of the study reveal that the expansion of new technologies has enabled the state's power to move into a whole new field, providing forward-looking ideas for how the existing political system and bureaucratic administrative system can cope with the development of new technology companies.

Author

• Dancheng Li