Tech billionaires want their own mini nations without democratic checks
In the media image: Tingey Injury on Unsplash
Power and money are not enough for big tech entrepreneurs who are investing billions in digital nations. Reijer Passchier, Professor of Digitalisation and the Democratic Rule of Law (OU) and Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law, and Wim Voermans, Professor of Constitutional Law, share their concerns in ‘de Volkskrant’.
These autonomous enclaves, such as Prospera, California Forever and Praxis Nation, governed and driven by technology, each have their own character and objectives, outside the reach of the democratic rule of law.
Passchier says that these tech giants have enough opportunity to expand their power within the current system, but this is at odds with their ideology: 'after all, these tech bros don't want to be hindered by government authorities.'
Voermans emphasises that 'these are absolutely not nations.' They do not meet the definition of a nation under international law. A central authority must exercise effective supervision and be recognised by other countries. 'You can't just buy a piece of land and declare your own country, no matter how much money or power you have, there are strict rules on that.'
Both Passchier and Voermans believe it is unlikely that other countries will recognise these digital mini-states. After all, a formal state bears numerous responsibilities, such as protecting its territory and population – obligations that these entrepreneurs clearly do not strive towards.
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Read the full article in de Volkskrant (in Dutch)