Diminishing State Power

How should markets, businesses, groups, and individuals be regulated or limited differently in the face of diminishing state power and the increasing intelligence and networking of the material world?

The ability of the state to control and impose consequences for those to disregard the regulations set in place is diminishing. This is occurring while technology and information is growing increasingly boundless, intelligent and interconnected throughout the world. Information, which may include both truth and incorrect facts, has become progressively depended upon as a resource by societies across the globe. I say both true and false information because while we in the United States enjoy our freedom of speech (which also includes our ability to speak, spread and share true and falsities), other countries have information controlled by their government who decides what information is shared, and what is hidden or changed. In states such as these, their ability to control and regulate groups, individuals, markets and businesses much easier than those states who are growing more dependent on technology.

Nations whose society relies heavily on technology, and are using technology to improve both personal and professional endeavors, are also contributing to their states’ inability to continue the regulation of groups, individuals, markets and businesses. These societies are more likely to suffer from a successful cyber attack on critical infrastructures that are relied on by citizens. An example is how many people have a more connected home, which means the Internet of Things has been embraced and has opened those homes to additional cyber risk. Our hospitals are also relying heavily on cyber technology to help with patient care, surgeries and even running life supporting machines. On a larger scale, the electric industry is also more reliant on technology and is becoming more connected. Any successful cyber attack could become a simple nuisance to crippling much of our daily life.

The question is then how can these states limit or regulate their people or attackers while they are losing their power. I think the state may need to unite with other states in order to successfully impose any limitations and regulations, as technology has changed the way boundaries work with groups, individuals, markets and businesses. They are moving and working outside of individual states’ borders and those borders no longer matter when these groups are stretching across multiple continents.