Blurring boundaries: an analysis of the digital platforms-military nexus

Andrea Coveri, Claudio Cozza and Dario Guarascio

No 175, CIMEO Working Paper Series from Centre for Investigation and Modelling of Experimental Observations (CIMEO)

Abstract: This paper analyses the mutual dependence between digital platforms, or Big Tech, and the military apparatus. It identifies three main elements at the roots of this relationship: an originary linkage between the development of digital platforms and governments' military R&D efforts, the critical nature of the infrastructures and technologies controlled by platforms, and their role as governments' eyes and ears both domestically and abroad. Focusing on the United States, the paper documents the growing relevance of digital corporations as Department of Defence contractors, examines major multi-year contracts for the development and management of critical military technologies and infrastructures, and discusses the direct involvement of major US-based platforms in war scenarios.

Keywords: Monopoly capital; imperialism; war; nation-states; digital platforms; military industry; Big Tech (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L12 L22 P12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-12
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Related works:
Journal Article: Blurring Boundaries: An Analysis of the Digital Platforms-Military Nexus (2025)
Working Paper: Blurring boundaries: an analysis of the digital platforms-military nexus (2023)
Working Paper: Blurring boundaries: an analysis of the digital platforms-military nexus (2023)
Working Paper: Blurring boundaries: an analysis of the digital platforms-military nexus (2023)
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