2023/47 | LEM Working Paper Series | ||||||||||||||||
Blurring boundaries: an analysis of the digital platforms-military nexus |
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Andrea Coveri, Claudio Cozza and Dario Guarascio |
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Keywords | |||||||||||||||||
Monopoly capital, imperialism, war, nation-states, digital platforms, military industry
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JEL Classifications | |||||||||||||||||
L12, L22, P12
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Abstract | |||||||||||||||||
This work analyzes the mutual dependence linking digital platforms,
i.e., 'Big Tech', and the military apparatus. Three main elements are
at the roots of such dependence: an 'originary linkage' binding the
development of digital platforms with governments' R&D military
efforts, the critical nature of infrastructures and technologies
controlled by platforms, and their role as their government's 'eyes
and ears' (both at home and abroad). Focusing on the US, we first
document the growing relevance of these corporations as Department of
Defence contractors. Second, we explore a selection of multi-year
contracts entrusting platforms to develop and manage critical
technologies and infrastructures for military purposes. Finally, we
document the direct involvement of major US-based platforms in war
scenarios.
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