For decades, the narrative regarding technology and democracy was optimistic: the internet would decentralize power and liberate the individual. Today, a new research project suggests the exact opposite is happening.
The Authoritarian Stack, a data visualization and research initiative led by Francesca Bria and José Bautista, reveals a stark reality: the essential functions of the State are being rapidly absorbed by a nexus of technology giants, investment funds, and defense contractors.
What is the "Stack"?
The project borrows the term "stack" from software engineering—usually referring to the layers of technologies used to run an application. In this geopolitical context, the Authoritarian Stack refers to a new, integrated infrastructure that creates a "post-democratic" order.
This stack is not merely about social media influence; it is about physical and digital sovereignty. It includes:
• The Cloud & AI: The servers where government data lives and the algorithms that process it.
• Defense & Surveillance: The drones, satellites, and border control systems managed by private contractors.
• Finance: The digital payment rails that replace traditional banking infrastructures.
The Era of "Patriotic Tech"
One of the project's most critical insights is the shift toward "Patriotic Tech."
Previously, Silicon Valley positioned itself as a global, borderless entity. Now, facing regulatory pressure and market saturation, Big Tech is pivoting. By aligning themselves with national defense and security interests, these companies are securing massive government contracts.
The research argues that this creates a dangerous symbiotic relationship: governments get access to cutting-edge surveillance tools without developing them internally, while tech companies gain immunity and entrenched power that supersedes traditional regulation.
From Public Law to Private Code
The core warning of the Authoritarian Stack is the privatization of the political decision-making process. When public infrastructure is owned by private entities, the rules of society are no longer determined by constitutional law or democratic debate, but by Terms of Service and corporate boardrooms.
The project maps over 250 actors and thousands of connections, tracking billions of dollars flowing between public bodies and private tech entities. It illustrates how democratic states are outsourcing their own "operating systems," making them dependent on vendors that operate without democratic accountability.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call
The Authoritarian Stack is more than just a map of contracts; it is a diagnosis of a shifting world order. It challenges us to ask a fundamental question: If the infrastructure of our democracy—from how we vote to how we defend our borders—is owned by private corporations, are we still citizens, or are we merely users?
As this "stack" solidifies, the window to reclaim public digital sovereignty may be closing.
