Digitalisation should be on Dutch general election agenda
In the media image: Conny Schneider on Unsplash
Digitalisation affects us all but plays little role in the election debates. In an op-ed in Dutch newspaper ‘de Volkskrant’, Reijer Passchier, Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law and Professor of Digitalisation at the OU, calls for political urgency and strategy on digital challenges.
Although the digital transformation is clearly affecting our daily lives – from healthcare to education and safety – it is currently being overlooked in the Dutch general election campaigns, although its impact is increasing. The vast majority of political parties ignore digital themes and the candidates who can play a meaningful role are too low down or not included at all on the list of candidates. Political parties often still consider the theme to be neutral, but in reality digitalisation is something that definitely requires attention.
Passchier points to a lack of direction and strategy. We just allow digitalisation to unfold, rather than steering it politically. He calls for a debate on digital fundamental rights, algorithmic decision-making and the role of the government as the guardian of public values in the digital arena. Digitalisation is not a technical detail, but a social issue that requires political choices. The media can also play an important role here in large television debates and can perhaps still convince floating voters that digitalisation deserves a place on the agenda.