Africa, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and digital diplomacy: (Re)Negotiating the international knowledge structure. Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masters, Lesley
• Is Part Of: South African journal of international affairs. Volume 28:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 377
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Fourth Industrial Revolution -- digital diplomacy -- Africa -- international knowledge structure -- negotiations; South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Periodicals; South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1989-1994 -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; World politics -- 1945-1989 -- Periodicals; 968
• DOI: 10.1080/10220461.2021.1961605
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-0461

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) builds on the exponential growth of digital capacities, blurring the lines between the physical and digital spheres. Following its recognition as a phenomenon at the 2016 World Economic Forum, analysis has mainly focused on assessing the socio-economic challenges and benefits that advancements in science, technology and innovation hold. Yet there remains a shortfall in understanding the impact of these digital technologies from the perspective of international relations and diplomacy, particularly on questions of equality, governance, and emerging transnational relations. For Africa, participation in negotiating the international governance of digital technologies is critical in mitigating a peripheral role in the international knowledge structure, ensuring transformational rather than transactional relations when it comes to the 4IR. This article argues that analysis of digital diplomacy as diplomacy for digital technology – ie, negotiating the governance of digital technologies – provides a useful lens for critically assessing Africa vis-à-vis the 4IR.