Jill Lepore Warns Tech Companies Are Replacing Democratic Government Functions
Sunday, 9 August 2026, 18:16
As private companies move deeper into public life, one historian sees an old political idea returning in a distinctly modern form
In her forthcoming work, “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State,” Jill Lepore warns that technology companies are increasingly taking over the functions of democratic government. In her view, this shift could signal a return to tyranny and mystification in the form of rule by algorithms, corporations, and machines
a return to tyranny and mystification in the form of rule by algorithms, corporations, and machines
– Jill Lepore
In a new episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Lepore discussed the development of what she calls “the idea that we should live under artificial state authority, or under the rule of machines.” She is a Harvard historian and a staff writer at The New Yorker, and was recently awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her history of the U.S. Constitution
I am not against technology
– Jill Lepore
“I am not against technology,” Lepore stressed. “My concern is with the way private corporations are increasingly taking on the functions of the state.”
Although the book explores philosophies that date back a century, the author argues that many charismatic – and uncharismatic – Silicon Valley leaders, including Elon Musk, appear to be paving the way toward a future borrowed from misinterpreted examples of science fiction and comic books
But the funny thing about Elon Musk is that the things he likes actually completely undermine and contradict all of his political views
– Jill Lepore
What is the artificial state?
According to Lepore, the artificial state is a particular kind of state that replaces the liberal democratic nation-state in the United States and elsewhere. It is both a reality and an ideological construct
In her book, the author traces the rise of the idea that we should live under artificial state authority, or under the rule of machines, while also highlighting the model’s inevitable failure – its inability to survive – as revealed through the lens of science fiction
“I don’t think technology itself is evil,” Lepore emphasizes. “It is important to me to show how private corporations are increasingly taking over the functions of the state, usually without the explicit consent of citizens.”
She also points out that the development of technology in the public sector often began with the aim of improving efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness, but over the past several decades it has turned into the usurpation – or deliberate transfer – of state functions into the hands of the private sector
private corporations have increasingly taken on the functions of the state
– Jill Lepore
Technology and politics: Is it possible to preserve democratic values?
Lepore examines the interaction between technology and the philosophy behind it, asking whether we can have the internet and social media without threatening a future shaped by an “artificial state.” She stresses that historians should not avoid discussing these changes, while also emphasizing the importance of preserving democratic mechanisms: governance must involve citizens, and decisions should not be made without public debate and oversight from society
In Lepore’s view, social platforms are not universal vehicles for public opinion but rather reflect the views of politically active users at the extremes, which can have unpredictable consequences for the democratic process and the public sphere
The author believes that the history of science and technology helps us understand how changes in infrastructure and legislation shape social norms. She calls for dialogue among historians, technologists, and entrepreneurs to establish certain “rules of the game” for new technologies that do not undermine democratic foundations
In conclusion, Lepore emphasizes that effective solutions are possible only within a functioning democracy, where citizens participate in decision-making and hold decision-makers accountable. This means transparency, public discussion, and accountability for corporations that influence people’s everyday lives and local economies
The conversation underscores the importance of taking a historical view of contemporary technological processes and the role of civic participation. The future of democratic society depends on our ability to limit technology’s influence over politics and governance while preserving institutional frameworks and open public dialogue in the digital age. As new technologies develop rapidly, responsible and transparent approaches are needed to safeguard democratic principles for the benefit of citizens.
