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A review of “The Past, Present, and Possible Future of UK Democracy in the Age of AI” by Md Shabaz and Zeenat Firdaus
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3KQX38T
From the Magna Carta to the Long Parliament
Beginning with
the Magna Carta forced upon King John in 1215by his rebellious barons, the
United Kingdom has been at the forefront of modern democratic innovation. Enduring
as a symbol of liberty and the rule of law, the Magna Carta establishes the
principle of Constitutionalism: the idea that kings, just like all other
people, are subjects of the laws. The next significant development was the Long
Parliament (1640-1660) and the ensuing English Civil War, which established
rule of parliamentary sovereignty and the consent of the governed, especially
in matters of taxation.
The 19th century
saw an expansion of democratic rights to the general population through the
Reform Acts, especially the abolition of "rotten boroughs" – which
made parliamentary seats better represent the male population. These reforms
led to the Suffragette Movement, led by figures like Emmeline Pankhurst, till
by 1928, the UK had become one of the first few countries to have universal
suffrage, allowing all adults to have a say in the governance of the country.
Correspondingly, the powers of the monarchy and aristocracy were also trimmed
away in the UK’s characteristic “evolutionary not revolutionary” style,
deepening democracy.
In recent
decades, the evolution of UK democracy has been shaped by the rise of the
internet. Social media has emerged as a double-edged sword: while it is a
powerful tool for political engagement and mobilization, it also blurs the
boundaries between information and disinformation. "Fake news" and
conspiracy theories have proliferated without the editorial control once
exercised by responsible media, undermining public trust in public
institutions. The advent of artificial intelligence and technologies such as
deepfakes has made the problem more urgent. These technologies, especially when
wielded by authoritarian actors (state and non-state), are playing an
increasing role in manipulating public opinion, disrupting elections, and
eroding the integrity of democratic processes.
Threats to Democracy: Social Media, Disinformation, and AI
In this light,
the book “The Past, Present, and Possible Future of UK Democracy in the Age of
AI” by Md Shabaz and Zeenat Firdaus is a timely read. It doubles as a detailed
primer for those looking for a quick history of British democracy (for those
who need reminding), and as a go-to manual for those fighting disinformation
and preserving the sanctity of elections. In this review, I will focus myself
on the technological issues raised by the book in its second part.
Despite the
benefits, digital technologies also pose significant challenges, particularly
through misinformation (misrepresenting facts) and disinformation (spreading
lies). The rapid spread of false information on social media platforms
threatens the integrity of democratic processes. Misinformation can sway public
opinion, influence elections, and undermine trust in democratic institutions,
as was evident from multiple messages spread on social media to mislead and
confuse voters during the Scottish Independence and Brexit referenda.
The issue of
misinformation has only magnified in the recent elections post-referendum. The
book beautifully explains the root cause of this: social media algorithms,
being designed to maximize engagement, unintentionally prioritize sensational
and misleading content, because that excites people. Social media has
exacerbated “digital tribalism”, where individuals are exposed only to
information that reinforces their existing beliefs (echo chambers), become more
radicalized in the process. The authors lay out a multi-faceted approach
towards combating misinformation, including digital literacy education, robust
fact-checking mechanisms, and greater transparency from social media companies
regarding their algorithms and data practices.
Data Collection Practices and Privacy in UK Elections
The extensive
use of data analytics in political campaigns is raising critical questions
about privacy and individual rights. All major political parties in the UK,
from Labour to the Tories to the Lib-Dems and SNP, routinely deploy data-driven
strategies to target voters with micro-tailored messages. Although this
enhances the relevance of political communication, it also involves the
collection and analysis of vast amounts of personal data.
These concerns
magnify in the context of elections, since voting behaviour can be inferred by
integrating multiple sources, including social media profiles and online
activity. This data leaves them vulnerable to targeted, gaslighting messages to
swing their vote. While ostensibly improving campaign efficiency, such
practices raise significant ethical and legal issues – as laid out by the
authors, especially when the law is grey.
Government Accountability and Transparency
Not all is
negative in the book. It highlights the contributions of digital technology to
democracy: the enhancement of civic engagement through social media, online
forums, and digital petitions. By lowering barriers and expanding access, more
citizens can voice their opinions, mobilize support for causes, and interact
directly with their representatives. In the UK, initiatives like online voter
registration and digital government services have made it easier for people to
participate in elections and access public information. In the recent
elections, multiple websites offered information on candidates and manifestos
constituency-wise and party-wise, enhancing informed choice. A few were also
focused on tactical voting to enhance the power of one’s vote.
By analyzing
large datasets, AI can uncover patterns of corruption, inefficiency, or misuse
of public funds: some of which were major themes in the recently concluded
British election. This capability is instrumental in ensuring that governments
remain accountable to their citizens. AI-driven platforms now offer
personalized political content, helping voters engage better issues that matter
to them. Data science is playing an increasing role in identifying trends in
public opinion (especially through MRP opinion polls), providing valuable
feedback to policymakers, and fostering a more responsive and inclusive
political environment. AI tools can also analyze public data to promote
transparency in public spending, healthcare, and education. The power of
predictive analytics can be used to anticipate the outcomes of policies.
Conclusion
The evolution of
democracy in the UK is a bellwether for the democratic world at large – and
hence everyone is a stakeholder. In the digital age, the roles of AI, data
science, and social media will not diminish. Navigating these complexities,
therefore, requires a balanced approach that leverages the benefits of digital
technologies while safeguarding democratic values. Much as Md Shabaz and Zeenat
Firdaus have grappled with the issue, one is left feeling that they have only
revealed the tip of the iceberg. I strongly recommend this book, and I look
forward to more oeuvre from this pair.
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