Since the Soviet era, political technology, also known as the professional engineering of politics, has been a part of Russia’s political landscape. However, these practices have now expanded globally with countries like China, various European nations, India, and the United States engaging in manipulation tactics. The industry of political engineering encompasses a range of techniques including data mining, astroturfing, and the creation of propaganda apps leading to the emergence of a global market for manipulation strategies.
In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard hosts Andrew Wilson, a senior policy fellow at ECFR and professor of Ukrainian studies at University College London to delve into the topic of political technology and the widespread phenomenon of political manipulation. They explore the origins of the term “political technology,” how it spreads across different countries and what measures democracies can take to protect themselves from such manipulation.
The episode was recorded on May 21st 2024 and features a discussion on Wilson’s book “Political Technology: The Globalisation of Political Manipulation” as well as “How to Steal a Presidential Election” by Lawrence Lessig and Matthew Seligman.
