The present article hypothesizes that a radical metamorphosis is taking place in the traditional approach to geostrategic Westphalian premises of state-centric diplomacy. The International Studies science is experiencing the emergence of what is called Techno-Elite Diplomacy, which is exemplified by the unprecedented rise of a small group of technology executives and infrastructure titans that has surpassed being mere players to becoming sovereign peers to nation-states. The rules of the new international engagement are being decided and written by these elites by regulating the “Digital Commons” – artificial intelligence, satellite networks, and global cloud systems. Such a systemic move signifies a change in the form of public treaties into what is known as the Boardroom Covenants that avoids the normal democratic and diplomatic accountability. The article maintains that global sovereignty, as privatized through corporate decision-making, establishes a “Diplomatic Singularity” in which the velocity and secrecy of corporate decision-making essentially eviscerates the ability of states to hold themselves accountable and control their territories.
Mohammed Saaida (Fri,) studied this question.