Identity, Technology and their Confluence: Governmentality in the Digital Age

Chris Dent

doi:10.5204/lthj.v2i2.1437

Abstract

The digital age has posed significant challenges for the governance of society. These challenges stem, in part, from the fact that many of the practices of governance arose in the pre-digital world. Foucault’s notion of ‘governmentality’ is a framework that can take account of the different sets of practices of governance. Comparing current practices with those highlighted by Miller and Rose’s ‘three families’ of governmentality suggests that twenty-first century governance operates as a new, fourth family. This research demonstrates this through an examination of aspects of the law—such as welfare and libel law—that have changed since the nineteenth century, with those changes mapping to the different families. In other words, the manner in which we, as legal subjects, have been constituted has changed, and will continue to change. As such, while specific practices such as fake news are seen to be problematic now, any reactions to them are historically contingent—and so the practices may not be seen to be an issue in a couple of decades time.

Highlights

We are in a century in which the digital world, and its attendant algorithms, play a significant role in the governance of society
This research demonstrates this through an examination of aspects of the law—such as welfare and libel law—that have changed since the nineteenth century, with those changes mapping to the different families
Despite the shifts between families of governmentality, the ensemble—and inertia137—of governmentalist practices in the West means that any change in one or two practices will not have a substantial influence on how individuals, and through them the State, are constituted

Summary

Introduction

We are in a century in which the digital world, and its attendant algorithms, play a significant role in the governance of society. They have been around long enough for the practices associated with them to have become integral to certain aspects of our selves. The practices, including those from the law, that constitute individuals and corporations have adapted and responded to shifts in those aspects of societal regulation inherent in the digital sphere. Any digital challenge such as fake news should not be seen as a unique, solvable, problem; instead, it is an embedded part of twenty-first century governance. As an open access journal, articles are free to use with proper attribution.

Background

A Digital Fourth Family of Governmentality?

A Digital Fourth Family of Governmentality

Conclusion