Technology is not merely a tool for power - it is a means of power itself. A theory derived from political realism, navigating the complex intersections of technology and politics.
Techno-realism introduces a new theoretical framework derived from political realism, placing technology at the core of power analysis. It examines how the innate human drive for survival shapes identity formation in an era where sovereignty and authority extend into digital and technological realms.
Technology and the survival instinct embedded in human nature fundamentally shape how political, social, and digital identities are formed and expressed. Social media platforms and digital ecosystems reinforce and transform identities across diverse political groups.
Technology is not just an instrument wielded by those in power - it has become the central source of power itself. From surveillance systems and cyber measures to AI and quantum computing, technological capability defines modern political authority.
Big Tech companies, NGOs, hacker groups, and transnational activist networks shape data governance, influence political processes, and challenge traditional notions of sovereignty - demanding recognition beyond state-centric analysis.
Examining how cyberpolitics and surveillance technologies are deployed to exert state control, reshape identities, and manage populations within the Xinjiang region - illustrating technology as a direct instrument of political power.
Analyzing how technology shaped political power struggles during Indonesia's 2024 elections, including social media manipulation and the use of information and electronic transaction law to control freedom of speech.
Exploring regional power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific as states and non-state actors confront the spread of digital authoritarianism, and how technological dominance reshapes geopolitical relationships.
Published in Security and Defence Quarterly - Open Access (CC BY)
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