Clarence Streit's "Union Now," published in 1939, proposed a bold solution to the escalating threats to democracy in Europe: a federal union of the world's leading democracies. Streit argued that the interconnectedness of modern technology demanded a new form of global governance to counter the rise of fascism. His vision emphasized a union of citizens, not just governments, to foster cooperation and collective security. The book's impact is evident in the formation of NATO, though Streit's call for a broader political union remains largely unrealized. "Union Now" serves as a historical precedent for considering innovative approaches to global governance in the face of contemporary challenges.
Marietje Schaake's "The Tech Coup" examines the growing power of Silicon Valley and its impact on democracy. The book explores how technology companies have become increasingly influential in shaping political discourse and public policy. Schaake analyzes the challenges posed by big tech's dominance, including issues of data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the spread of misinformation. She argues that these companies have amassed too much power and influence, and that urgent action is needed to address these concerns. The book offers concrete policy recommendations for regulating big tech and protecting democratic values in the digital age. Schaake's work provides a critical analysis of the relationship between technology and democracy, offering insights into how to safeguard democratic principles in the face of technological disruption.
Big tech companies are playing an outsized role in our world and are increasingly involved in creating policy that has negative impacts on democracies. In her book The Tech Coup, Marietje Schaake argues that companies need to be reined in, and that democracies need to organize themselves in ways that can withstand the challenges posed by these companies and their increasingly imperious owners.
Marietje joins Dave for a spirited post-election conversation about how the Tech Coup is playing out right now, and what we can do about it.
MarietjeSchaake (X, Bluesky, Mastodon)
"The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley"
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691241173/the-tech-coup
Keywords:
Tech Coup, Democracy, Elon Musk, Regulation, Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Global Governance, Public Stack, Resilience, Alternative Platforms, Geopolitics, Cybersecurity, Social Inequality, Ukraine War, Authoritarianism, Disinformation, Digital Infrastructure, Data Centers, Procurement, Investments, AI, Cables, Data Centers
Dave Troy Presents 
