Technology & Democracy
Technology didn’t set out to break democracy. It just wasn’t designed to care whether it did.
We try to name the dynamics plainly—so partners can make choices with eyes open.
The problem
At scale, modern technology reshapes incentives. It can amplify manipulation, normalize surveillance, reward outrage, and make information systems brittle in ways that democratic institutions struggle to absorb.
We wish these were theoretical risks. They aren’t.
How we think about it
- Use tech where it helps: when it supports participation, accountability, or resilience.
- Resist tech where it harms: when it increases dependency, exposure, or manipulation.
- Be honest about tradeoffs: especially when there are no clean wins.
Why this matters for partners
These dynamics shape risk whether organizations acknowledge them or not. We help partners navigate them deliberately—without fatalism, hype, or wishful thinking.
Talk with us
If your work sits at the intersection of technology and democratic risk, we’re happy to talk it through.