Are Big Tech companies new pseudo-states?
In the media image: Glenn Carsens on Unsplash
Big Tech companies have so much power that they function like states without democratic control. In NEMO Kennislink, Reijer Passchier, an assistant professor of constitutional law, says this poses a growing risk to the rule of law and increases inequality in society.
It is this 'disturbed relationship between the public sphere (governments) and the private sphere (the economy, property)' that Passchier finds troubling. He argues that Big Tech companies increasingly resemble states because of their economic power and global influence. They can influence legislation, avoid taxes, and put pressure on governments. According to Passchier, the law applies to these companies 'to a much lesser extent' than it does to ordinary citizens, which undermines the foundations of the democratic rule of law.
Passchier warns that these developments will lead to a new type of inequality, which he describes as a cocktail of fascist-like, autocratic, and totalitarian traits, where power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a small group of companies and shareholders. At the same time, citizens and governments have become highly dependent on these companies, making countervailing power difficult to organise and putting pressure on democratic decision-making. According to Passchier, the size of these companies should be restricted to prevent power and wealth from becoming too concentrated. 'I believe that a clear upper limit on wealth is essential within a democratic constitutional state.'
More information?
Read the article in NEMO Kennislink (in Dutch)