Digital technology is fundamentally changing politics.

In 2025, digital technology is no longer just an accessory to politics—it is the architecture. From global power plays to campus protests, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally altering the structure, reach, and priorities of politics. This digital shift is redefining international influence, challenging traditional institutions, and putting political power in the hands of ordinary people.

At the heart of this transformation lies a new form of geopolitical strategy. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, exemplifies how digital infrastructure has become a tool for global influence. While earlier empires projected dominance through territorial control, modern states are doing so through cables, cameras, and cloud systems. In Venezuela, the “carnet de la patria” (homeland card)—built with assistance from Chinese telecom giant ZTE—has allowed the government to digitally monitor dissent and shape public behaviour. China’s export of surveillance infrastructure and censorship technologies offers other regimes a blueprint for digital governance, subtly reshaping political systems without ever crossing a border.

This approach has sparked concerns over digital-age neocolonialism. Critics argue that powerful states are replacing old forms of control with new, data-driven dependencies. Yet some recipient countries are finding agency within this landscape. In Africa, Chinese-built infrastructure has facilitated stronger regional ties. The African Union, for instance, used digital platforms to host a virtual conference on COVID-19 and transitional justice in 2020, improving coordination and amplifying its international voice.

Meanwhile, digital tools are reshaping domestic politics, particularly in terms of accessibility. Social media has enabled grassroots accountability. In Los Angeles, Council President Nury Martinez resigned in 2022 after a leaked audio clip of her racist remarks went viral. Online platforms have empowered citizens to document misconduct, share information, and mobilize pressure—often within hours. No longer confined to voting booths or newspaper columns, political engagement now happens through posts, petitions, and digital protest.

Nowhere is this more visible than in conflict zones. The Ukraine-Russia war, dubbed history’s most online war, has blurred the lines between civilians and combatants. Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation created an “IT Army” through the Diia app, enlisting over 400,000 global cyber volunteers. Civilian drone operators have also contributed by collecting battlefield data. These developments challenge legal norms and ethical frameworks—especially regarding who counts as a legitimate target in war.

Crucially, the digital age has shifted the tone of political discourse. The democratization of information has placed moral and ethical concerns at the centre of global debates. From the Israel-Palestine conflict to climate activism, young people are using digital platforms to voice values-driven perspectives. According to a study by political scientist Joshua Kertzer, concern for human harm correlates with higher support for international cooperation and less backing for military action.

This moral focus has filtered up to the highest levels of governance. Politicians are increasingly framing campaigns around empathy and ethics. In the 2024 U.S. election, Kamala Harris emphasized humanitarian messaging and multilateral engagement—a strategy reflecting broader public sentiment shaped by digital discourse.

As new technologies continue to expand what’s possible, the rules of diplomacy, warfare, and civic engagement are being rewritten. Politics is no longer just state-to-state—it’s screen-to-screen.

Written by Cassie Zheng