No.12: System comparison: Liberalism vs Electronic Technocracy
- Mike Miller
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 7
“Liberalism – Freedom as a Trap?”
A Critical Analysis in Comparison with Electronic Technocracy
I. Definition: What Is Liberalism?
Liberalism is a political and economic philosophy that places individual freedom at its core. It advocates limiting state power, free markets, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. Its roots trace back to the Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries (Locke, Montesquieu, Smith, Mill).
II. Ideals and Historical Successes
Enforcement of human rights and civil law
Separation of church and state
Economic rise through capitalism and globalization
Democratization of the Western world
III. Weaknesses and Systemic Misdevelopments
1. Market Fetishism
The free market as a panacea has proven illusory.
Speculation, greed, and inequality: financial markets are detached from the real economy.
Global exploitation: cheap production, environmental destruction, child labor as consequences of “free markets.”
2. Democracy as a Stage for Corporations
Lobbying distorts the democratic will.
Politics is for sale: pharmaceutical lobby, arms industry, Big Tech.
Citizens vote – but the economy governs.
3. Consumption Over Community
Humans are reduced to consumers.
Sense of community, solidarity, and spirituality lose significance.
Social isolation despite digital connectivity.
4. Freedom Without Responsibility
Neoliberal individualism undermines collective responsibility.
Climate crisis, social division, mental illness are rising – yet no one is accountable.
“Everyone for themselves” becomes societal self-destruction.
IV. Historical Examples of Misdevelopment
USA (from 1980) under Reagan and later Bush: Market deregulation, dismantling of social safety nets, explosion of inequality.
Latin America (1990s) under IMF pressure: Waves of privatization, social hardship, impoverishment of large populations.
EU Crisis 2008–2015: Bank bailouts with taxpayer money, austerity, youth unemployment in Southern Europe.
V. Liberalism vs. Electronic Technocracy
Liberalism | Electronic Technocracy |
Freedom through markets | Freedom through system balance |
Deregulation | Precise, adaptive regulations |
Profit maximization | Common good optimization |
Elite formation through capital | Participation through data access |
Decision by ideology | Decision by evidence |
Liberalism celebrated freedom but forgot to bind it to responsibility. Electronic Technocracy acknowledges individual freedom but integrates it into a system of collective sustainability and equality.
VI. Conclusion: From Ideal to Ideology
Liberalism was a step forward – but became a religion of the market. Where everything is allowed, the strongest soon rule. Electronic Technocracy replaces the competition for power with transparency, fair participation, and algorithmically driven fairness. Instead of freedom for exploitation: freedom for human flourishing.
Wikipedia Links
Deutsch
English
PoliticalWiki: Electric Technocracy
Elektrische Technokratie Podcast & Song
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