The machinery of #techno-colonialism crafting "democracy." A glimpse into digital sub-netizenship in Mexico. Issue 8 (17th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Durán Matute, Inés; Camarena González, Rodrigo
• Is Part Of: Democratization. Volume 28:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1545
• Page End: 1563
• Publication Date: 2021-11-17
• Subjects: Democracy -- technology -- netizenship -- colonialism -- digitalization; Democracy -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Democratization -- Periodicals; 321.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2021.1947248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0347

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article elaborates the concepts of techno-colonialism and sub-netizenship to explore the renewal of colonial processes through the digitalization of "democracy." Techno-colonialism is conceived as a frame – adopted consciously and unconsciously – that shapes capitalist social relations and people's political participation. Today, this frame appeals to the idealized netizen, a global, free, equal and networked subject that gains full membership to a political community. Meanwhile, sub-netizenship is the novel political subordination because of race, ethnicity, class, gender, language, temporality, and geography within a global matrix that crosses the analogue-digital dimensions of life. This techno-colonialism/sub-netizenship dynamic manifested in the experience of Marichuy as an indigenous independent precandidate for the Mexican presidential elections of 2018. In a highly unequal and diverse country, aspirants required a tablet or smartphone to collect citizen support via a monolinguistic app only accessible to Google or Facebook users. Our analysis reveals how some individuals are excluded and disenfranchised by digital innovation but still resist a legal system that seeks to homogenize them and render them into legible and marketable data.