oiip

The Rise of Techno-Authoritarianism and its Impact on US Foreign Policy

Policy Brief March 2025
Published by Johannes Späth, in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems – UWK

The intersection of wealth, technology, and political power has reached a new and dangerous frontier in the United States, threatening not only American democracy but also reshaping global power dynamics. As Silicon Valley elites consolidate influence over governance, deregulation, and even U.S. foreign policy, their alignment with an increasingly illiberal Trump administration raises profound concerns for democratic institutions worldwide. With campaign finance laws eroded and state functions increasingly outsourced to private tech firms, a new oligarchic order is emerging—one in which unaccountable billionaires leverage AI, social media, and cryptocurrency to entrench their dominance.

This policy analysis examines the structural drivers behind this shift, the ideological foundations linking techno-libertarianism with authoritarian tendencies, and the global implications of a U.S. political system increasingly steered by corporate elites. Particular attention is given to Europe, where tech billionaires and U.S. policymakers are already exerting pressure on regulatory frameworks and electoral integrity. The EU cannot afford to remain passive. Beyond defending itself from digital interference and political manipulation, it must recognize its growing responsibility as a counterweight to illiberalism and corporate capture of governance. With democracy at an inflection point, Europe’s response will not only shape its own future but could also determine whether liberal democracy remains a viable global model in the years to come.

To read more, download the Policy Brief HERE.