The deployment of digital technology in the 21st century has helped guide politics through the improvement of political communication channels and accessing public discussion spheres. These digital tools have proven very effective and have been used increasingly to impact governance and decision-making processes heavily. In this article, we look at the way technology has revolutionized the spaces for global governance and politics. Digital technology is multi-faceted. A plurality of actors at multiple levels influences it. Many governance structures have employed digital technology to help them improve civic participation. This technology has helped grow levels of public involvement, policy outcomes, and accountability for service delivery. Introducing digital tools helped ensure that public debate surrounding spaces of state sovereignty is quickly disseminated to the correct audiences. It provides social areas that allow new discourse surrounding security, biopolitical control, and surveillance.
International relations organizations have implemented technology to help citizens mobilize. New technological platforms allow for more efficient mass political action and mobilization. The spaces for citizens to plan together for acts of resistance means International relations organizations must be prepared for digital activism. Digital technology will likely continue reshaping the areas and processes encompassing political identity formation. These technological phenomena force international relations agents to reconsider their approach to international questions surrounding governance, sovereignty, power, security, and identity. International Relations is an academic discipline that is highly practical. It is centred around the theoretical and conceptual foundations of political trends. To fully understand the impact of digital technology globally, it is vital to look into the benefits and drawbacks of this increased connectivity.
The Impact of Technology on Communication and Information Sharing
Digital technology has facilitated faster and more extensive communication and information sharing. It has allowed a more efficient approach to international relations between states and non-governmental actors. It is estimated that 5.3 billion people are connected to the internet. This data represents a significant portion of the world’s population. This high rate of connectivity has resulted in improved Globalization. Technology has brought many countries together by reducing the distance between them. Political leaders and their citizens have been forced to use digital technology to keep up with the latest international relations news. It has provided an opportunity for greater transparency and understanding; however, there is still the risk of information overload and misinformation.
This technology has brought about an age of digital diplomacy. 21st-century digital diplomacy is mainly centred around the public image and disseminating information crucial to global politics and the global political economy. The fast-changing media platforms on the internet have become densely populated with millions of subscribers. It has led to accelerated rates of public debate surrounding domestic and international issues. International relations organizations must use these tools to gather intel on the general feelings of society. To successfully integrate digital technology, diplomacy agents must self-isolate from global issues and understand how content flows on the internet. It has forced the older generation of politicians to abandon their traditional sources of information dissemination. To successfully lure young voters, it is vital for them to participate in global decisions through digital tools, as young people can witness these events transparently on the internet.
Digital diplomacy has potential benefits for international relations but can also be problematic. Having strong international relations and political organizations use digital diplomacy gives major tech companies significant economic and social power. These companies can dictate the level of discourse that users can achieve. These platform runners also can censor political topics. Tech companies can manage how diplomatic communication is performed in countries with numerous risks and rewards. To use digital tools, strict guidelines must be followed to ensure integrity in diplomacy pursued. Governments must provide the digital opportunities they seek to help advance their domestic agenda.
The Impact of Technology on Economic Globalization
Digital diplomacy is a foreign policy that helps drive economic globalization through improved trade, investment, and the movement of capital and labour. It has helped nations share information with broad audiences at unprecedented rates. Governance structures in countries have had to embrace this technology as it has created new opportunities for policymakers, leaders, and governments. It has become cost-effective for leaders to share messages and set political agendas without using traditional communication channels. Leaders now have platforms on their cell phones that can reach millions of people instantly. A broader network in international politics guarantees influential characters the ability to guide policy decisions in international institutions, non-governmental organizations, and various ethnic groups. Being able to reach supranational movements and individual citizens means that foreign policy agendas have to keep up with digital diplomacy trends. These trends can be disadvantageous because they involve the integration of global markets at the expense of rising global challenges and inequalities.
The Impact of Technology on International Security
Technology has affected global security in many vital areas. It has led to the rapid proliferation of weapons, cyber warfare, and the growth of military-grade artificial intelligence. It is, therefore, essential to examine the results of this development for international stability.
The power of social media has been a critical factor in easing potential international security incidents. Using social media to manage national images is a vital part of digital diplomacy and is now routinely practised by foreign embassies worldwide. Digital tools as mediums for a nation’s branding help improve the perception of human rights, democracy, and multiculturalism in a country. This form of diplomacy helps prevent conflict and encourages foreign direct investments.
The U.S. and North Korea have experienced long-standing tension regarding possible nuclear war. In 2018, Former President Donald Trump managed to shake hands with North Korea’s Leader Kim Jong-Un. This event was then posted on digital platforms and caught the attention of millions around the world. Digital diplomacy, when used to manage tensions between two governments effectively, can play an important role in maintaining international stability. Digital communication allows for the free expression of ideas and information. However, this unfiltered flow of information, such as information found on social media or in user-generated content, can be harmful to people unaware of its potential biases or inaccuracies. Power over information flow is held almost entirely by tech companies. Tech moguls like Elon Musk can afford to purchase powerful platforms and change the narrative.
Conclusion
Technology has caused the rate of Globalization to increase through improved trade, investment, and capital. It has brought politicians and their audiences closer while allowing for shortened mass mobilization times. Many nations have begun to employ digital diplomacy as it creates new opportunities for policymakers, leaders, and governments. Despite all the benefits of digital diplomacy, there are still questions are platform management. Governments are forced to place considerable trust in Tech companies that maintain free space for discourse.
