S4 EP 3 - Big Tech and Its Populist Critics
With Gary Winslett
Besides working in Washington, DC, what do American politicians like Elizabeth Warren, Donald Trump, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Josh Hawley, and Bernie Sanders all have in common? As political scientist Gary Winslett observes, at least one thing is their strong, populist critiques of “Big Tech”. Whether it’s Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, or Google, American populist politicians from the Left and Right find much to criticize: Leftwing populists typically stress economic concerns and monopolistic practices, while their Rightwing counterparts focus on free speech issues. But how valid are these critiques? How useful (and accurate) are the historical analogies used to support them? And how might the populists’ view of Big Tech affect America’s capacity for technological advancement and innovation down the line? Based on the research conducted for his new book—“Big Tech and its Populist Critics”—Winslett explores these issues, questions the validity of populist critiques from both political sides, and advocates for a ‘dynamist’ approach to public policy that promotes risk-taking, innovation, and a positive outlook towards technological progress.
Gary Winslett is a Johnson Fellow in Modern Political Thought and associate professor of Political Science at Middlebury College.
New Frontiers is a higher education podcast series bringing scholarly research and expertise to bear on national, international, and global affairs.
Produced and edited by Margaret DeFoor and Mark Williams, director of the Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs. Intro by Charlotte Tate, associate director of the Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs.
Music Credits
Forte by Kestra - Summer with Sound Album
Soul Zone by Kestra - Light Rising Album