Thematic Description

The rise of the digital world has fundamentally reshaped the foundations of political order by transforming how authority is exercised, contested, and legitimized. Traditional political orders relied on territorially bounded institutions—states, bureaucracies, and formal legal systems—to regulate social life and maintain stability. Digital technologies, by contrast, facilitate flows of information, capital, and influence that easily bypass territorial borders. As a result, political authority becomes increasingly fragmented: states must now compete and cooperate with powerful non-state actors such as global technology firms, decentralized networks, and transnational civil society. The digital environment thus challenges the classic Westphalian model by introducing new actors and new arenas in which political power is negotiated.

At the same time, digitalization also alters the mechanisms through which political order is created. Governance increasingly depends on algorithmic systems that sort, rank, and regulate social behavior, often in ways that are opaque to the public. These systems generate new forms of social coordination and surveillance, enabling unprecedented administrative capacities while also raising questions about accountability and democratic oversight. Political order is no longer built solely through laws and institutions but also through code, platforms, and data infrastructures. This “algorithmic governance” can stabilize social expectations—shaping what citizens see, how they communicate, and how they participate in public life—but it can also exacerbate inequalities when control of digital infrastructure is concentrated in a small number of actors.

Furthermore, the digital world reshapes the normative underpinnings of political order by transforming public spheres and collective identities. Digital communication expands opportunities for political mobilization, giving rise to new forms of activism, but it also generates fragmented information ecosystems that weaken shared narratives. The proliferation of misinformation, echo chambers, and highly personalized media environments complicates the formation of a common political will, which has historically been essential for maintaining legitimate authority. In this context, contemporary political orders must balance innovation and openness with the need for stability and trust. The central challenge is to construct institutions capable of governing digital infrastructures while preserving democratic values in an environment defined by rapid technological change.

Abstract

Participants are kindly asked to submit their abstract of 300-500 words and a brief professional bio (in Microsoft Word or PDF) to the organizer by April 30, 2026. Questions and clarifications can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Dariusz Dobrzański (dariusz.dobrzanski@amu.edu.pl) and (cua-rvp@cua.edu). Well-developed, qualitative papers will be published by the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy in its publication series “Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Changes.”

Logistics

There will be no registration fee. Conference participants will cover their own costs for travels. For accommodation and additional information please contact the local organizer. The conference will be held in English.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Dariusz Dobrzański

Faculty of Philosophy

Adam Mickiewicz University

Poznan, Poland

dariusz.dobrzanski@amu.edu.pl