Big Data and Democracy
Kevin Macnish and Jai Galliott
Abstract
This edited collection tackles subjects that have arisen as a result of new capabilities to collect, analyse and use vast quantities of data using complex algorithms. Questions tackled include what is wrong with targeted advertising in political campaigns, whether echo chambers really are a matter of genuine concern, what is the impact of data collection through social media and other platforms on questions of trust in society and is there a problem of opacity as decision-making becomes increasingly automated? The contributors consider potential solutions to these challenges and discuss whethe ... More
This edited collection tackles subjects that have arisen as a result of new capabilities to collect, analyse and use vast quantities of data using complex algorithms. Questions tackled include what is wrong with targeted advertising in political campaigns, whether echo chambers really are a matter of genuine concern, what is the impact of data collection through social media and other platforms on questions of trust in society and is there a problem of opacity as decision-making becomes increasingly automated? The contributors consider potential solutions to these challenges and discuss whether an ethical compass is available or even feasible in an ever more digitized and monitored world. The editors bring together original research on the philosophy of big data and democracy from leading international authors, with recent examples and case references – including the 2016 Brexit Referendum, the Leveson Inquiry and the Edward Snowden leaks – and combine them in one authoritative volume at time of great political turmoil.
Keywords:
Algorithm,
Data Analytics,
Ethics,
Politics,
Social Media,
Trust
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2020 |
Print ISBN-13: 9781474463522 |
| Published to Edinburgh Scholarship Online: September 2021 |
DOI:10.3366/edinburgh/9781474463522.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Kevin Macnish, editor
University of Twente
Jai Galliott, editor
University of New South Wales
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