Abstract
This dissertation critically discusses the 4IR and how it impacts democratic principles in the USA and China. The purpose of this dissertation is to indicate how emerging technologies may be harmful to democratic values. The topic is imperative to discuss as it displays the relevance of emerging technologies in current democratic states and addresses the future of democratic principles under the 4IR. This is necessary in determining how the 4IR will further alter democracy or, broadly, democratic principles. The states being examined are the USA and China, as this provides a broad sense of these principles at play in differing states, with differing forms of governance. By examining case studies in the USA and China, the dissertation displays current trends surrounding AI, Big Data, and ICTs. The findings of the research indicate how the 4IR is eroding democratic principles and may continue to do so in future. Notably, the dissertation discusses how emerging technologies have eroded privacy, political participation, rule of law, and human rights.