Digital and decentralised democracy, China vs the EU + the USA

Regarding alternatives to democracy, a new challenge has emerged for democratic polities like the European Union and the United States. It is partly about confronting China's ascent in the digital realm without compromising core democratic principles. China's techno-authoritarianism expands, and both powers increasingly recognize the ideological and security impasses posed by integrating with China's digital ecosystem. This system doesn't hesitate to harness technology for state surveillance or rely on unethical labor practices.

But instead of a hostile stance against China, the transatlantic allies should pioneer a coalition of "techno-democracies" and decentralized democracies. This alliance would focus on crafting a global digital ecosystem that reflects democratic ideals rather than merely countering a single rival power. Such a collective would need to spearhead collaborative research, uphold standards safeguarding critical infrastructure, and promote digital public goods, ensuring technology empowers rather than oppresses.


This democratic digital alliance demands internal reflection and reform from its founding members. The EU must reconcile its economic entanglements with China, aligning its commercial pursuits with its democratic ethos. This includes scrutinizing investments that may inadvertently bolster authoritarian regimes or exploit unethical labor within and beyond its borders.

The US, meanwhile, must restore its global digital credibility, recommitting to data privacy and redefining its relationship with home-grown tech behemoths. Embracing regulatory paradigms that resonate with democratic allies, such as the GDPR, could herald a new era of digital diplomacy and mutual trust.

At the same time, the EU and US must prioritize resolving their bilateral digital contentions, establishing a solid foundation for broader cooperation. This involves crafting sustainable frameworks for transatlantic data transfers, aligning on digital taxation, and reviving dialogues on harmonizing industrial standards for emergent technologies.

A coalition of techno-democracies should not merely defend against authoritarian digital advances. Still, it must proactively define what the digital sphere should represent. This includes setting ethical guidelines for AI and other frontier technologies, ensuring they serve societal needs, not authoritarian agendas.

Importantly, divergences in domestic policies should allow collaboration. Emphasizing procedural democracy in digital governance — transparency, accountability, and legal recourse — will reinforce global trust in this coalition.

The goal is not to impose but to inspire inclusive digital sovereignty, empowering states to partake in a digital future that respects human dignity and democratic principles. Confronting China's techno-authoritarianism isn't about digital supremacy but affirming a collective commitment to a free, fair, and inclusive global digital landscape for humanity.
 
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