Technological competition: from trade war to war of the future

The redefinition of geopolitics adapted to the way actors compete for global leadership. It is not just the erosion of the power of states by new transnational actors such as companies or movements, but the way they relate to each other and the factors they use to position themselves on the rest. And at this last point is where technology becomes key.

The geopolitics defined by Ratzel as the strategic study of the capabilities and behaviors of States in international politics has undergone a transformation since the arrival of a “relative and institutionalized peace” since the mid-20th century. This change affects the approach and object of study of this discipline, since in the previous historical period it focused on the study of the geographic characteristics of countries, and how these affected their expansionist action in relation to their military competitors.

With the advent of globalization, geographical barriers and territorial borders have become almost irrelevant in the political action of states.. In addition, thanks to the global institutionalization of standards and organisms shared by almost every country on the planet, Today, competition and leadership exercise focus on economic and commercial variables.

This new reality can be explained by geopolitics since the new economic approach, not through territorial expansion, but through the expansion of markets. For this, the study of the main powers developed is crucial to knowing and understanding the development of international relations in general. The ideological position during “Era Trump” in the United States did not conceal its concern for Chinese competition in research and development issues linked to artificial intelligence. However, technological competition is not limited to these two giants, because the lack of knowledge and the globalization and inmediateness of discoveries make the stage of “imitation” easy and quickly overcome by a new stage of innovation, expanding to Southeast Asia and even to Latin America. In addition, the disputes about theft of intellectual property do not find a solution in a patent system that only protects the rights of innovation with a territorial clause, and must individually register the inventions in each country. Sooner than later imitation and overcoming is produced.

Another feature of technological competition is that this type of companies assumes such a relevant importance that they become sources of power and reference where individuals deposit their trust; once again, erosionating the Power of traditional national states and their governments, increasing the tension between the public and the private. As for example, it demonstrates a study conducted by Edelman Trust Barometer (2021): "Companies emerged as the most reliable institutions, replacing the government that had a significant fall since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. Companies are the only institutions considered both ethical and competent, overcoming the government for 48 points, while as for ethics they refer, NGOs are increasingly approaching.”

The global knowledge gap leads to technological competition changing from an economic-commercial sphere to the educational sector as well. The need for a constant modernization and updating of educational curriculums calls into question the established and not dynamic teaching methodologies that cannot adapt to the challenges of the 21st century. The most advanced educational systems have as a pillar the so-called ‘STEM’ (Science, technology, engineering and maths): a practical approach that deepens the knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, necessary to develop a key sector: artificial intelligence. Those who fear the advancement of this discipline are mainly those who do not have the possibility and the tools to convert their skills to a labour market increasingly embraced by the replacement of human labor by machinery, and by the increasingly sophisticated specialization of industries in general, the so-called “Economy of Knowledge”.

Just as in the paradigm of territorial and commercial geopolitics is questioned its social and humanitarian character, one must also question itself in the ' Age of technological competition’: Behind the hunting drones, a machine or just inside the companies there are people. The human character that complements a holistic view of how we relate, how we compete or how we work, must include a qualitative analysis of sensitive character that prioritizes the needs and skills of each person behind the technology, or that is even replaced by it.

It is recommended not to speak of wars for the negative connotation of the word, but ultimately the war of the future will focus on education. International leadership will not be based on territorial expansionism, but on technological innovation. It does not mean that traditional wars no longer develop today, and the events of recent months in Europe make it very clear, but reality and statistics show that they are less and less frequent, shorter and less harmful. What is certain is that if we want more and better jobs, better quality of life, and good economic performance accompanied by sustainable development and innovation, we must create an inclusive and modern educational system that does not concern technology, but rather challenges.

For more information click here ‘The Commercial War.