Information feudalism in the information society

Abstract

Storytelling about technology can be optimistic or pessimistic. This article tells a pessimistic story based on the assumption that a small number of states will dominate the emerging international regulatory order. The story takes the form of an imagined history of the information society to the year 2015. It is based on research work being undertaken by the author in relation to a funded project on international business regulation. This historical scenario is presented as a possible future, not an inevitable one. The conclusion draws some parallels between information society and the feudalism of the dark ages.