Big Data and Democracy

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Published: Dec 29, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/hapscpbs.26473
Keywords:
Big Data Democracy Artificial Intelligence Politics Governments Institutions Social Media
Theoharris-William Efthymiou–Egleton
Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Symeon Sidiropoulos
University of Piraeus; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Evangelos Spanos
University of Piraeus; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Elli Stougiannou
City University of New York; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Abstract

One of the biggest questions in the digital age pertains to the relevance of democracy in the era of big data. Unquestioningly, the digital revolution is growing at a rapid pace and many are being caught unaware by its impact in various avenues. The amount of data available has been doubling year on year, and the conditions of usage have been evolving at a pace faster than the policies are being provided to ensure proper usage. Many have started looking for ways of turning big data into big money, an aspect that is coming at the expense of the democratic values countries have upheld for generations. Instead, it is becoming a huge problem as the history of humankind is becoming more documented now and messages are easier to send compared to a century ago. Understanding the impact of big data on democracy can help accentuate the best way of improving democratic institutions and their ability to overcome the pressure coming from evolving technology.

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Author Biographies
Theoharris-William Efthymiou–Egleton, Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Vice President of HAPSc Youth, United Kingdom
Symeon Sidiropoulos, University of Piraeus; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists

Political Scientist, President of the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists (HAPSc), Scientific Associate at Laboratory of Health Economics and Management (LabHEM) of the University of Piraeus.

Evangelos Spanos, University of Piraeus; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Member of the Board of the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists (HAPSc), and a Scientific Associate at the Laboratory of Health Economics and Management (LabHEM) of the University of Piraeus.
Elli Stougiannou, City University of New York; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Member of HAPSc, Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York, USA
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