Ferrando introduces an important concept of "posthuman democracy," which extends democratic principles beyond the human realm to include non-human entities and artificial intelligence.
The third wave of democratization, which surged globally from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s, has left a legacy marked by uncertainty. The once-swift proliferation of democracy in the 1990s following the fall of the USSR has stalled, with many nations in the developing part of the world now leaning towards autocracy. Even in established Western democracies, there's a noticeable decline in political engagement and a leaning towards nationalist populism. As a result, the discourse on democracy's trajectory has taken a pessimistic turn, calling for a reassessment of the merits of democratization due to concerns about political instability. In these uncertain times, Francesca Ferrando's latest book, "The Art of Being Posthuman," offers a valuable exploration of posthumanism. It is essential reading for political parties struggling to fulfill their promises amidst the complexities of modern democratic governance.
Author's provocative scholarship
Francesca Ferrando, a distinguished professor and philosopher at New York University, is renowned for her profound insights into posthumanist studies, deftly navigating the intricate intersections of technology, ethics, and identity. Her latest book presents a philosophical framework that challenges conventional notions of humanity, technology, and democracy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life forms and the imperative to transcend anthropocentric perspectives. The pivotal political concepts elucidated in Ferrando's work and their potential implications for governance and policy aim to provide a holistic perspective on how these ideas will undoubtedly reshape contemporary politics and democratic structures.
Ecological responsibility and rights of nature
One of the most pressing issues Ferrando addresses in her book is our relationship with the environment. In her discussion on "Ecological Presence," she advocates for recognizing the rights of nature, a concept with the potential to transform environmental policy fundamentally. The current legal and political frameworks often treat nature merely as a resource to be exploited for human benefit. She challenges this outdated world view by advocating a legal and ethical shift towards recognizing ecosystems as entities with an intrinsic value. This perspective necessitates a fundamental shift in our approach to environmental governance, an area where Nepal is notably deficient. Environmental degradation in Nepal, driven by deforestation, pollution, and insufficient waste management, presents significant challenges to both ecosystems and public health. Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal, was recently ranked as the world's most polluted city.
This paradigm shift entails developing laws and regulations that bestow legal personhood upon natural entities such as rivers, forests, and mountains—a practice already observed in regions like New Zealand and Ecuador. By adopting this approach, governments can establish a more sustainable and equitable framework for managing natural resources, placing the well-being of ecosystems on a par with human needs to address pressing global ecological crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Recognizing the rights of nature not only enhances conservation efforts but also fosters a balanced and respectful coexistence between humanity and the natural world. In Hinduism, nature is often personified as divine beings or deities, with rivers like the Ganges revered as goddesses and mountains like the Himalayas regarded as sacred abodes of gods. Trees, animals, and natural elements are likewise seen as manifestations of the divine. After declaring Nepal as a secular state, environmental degradation has worsened at a staggering scale, as society is now encouraged to disown Hindu values.
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Technological governance and ethical AI
In her discussion on "Technological Enhancement," Ferrando delves into the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. She raises critical questions about data privacy, algorithmic governance, and the potential for AI to both enhance and undermine democratic processes. "As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various aspects of society, from healthcare to criminal justice, it is essential for policymakers to consider the ethical and political implications of these technologies. Nepal lacks awareness on this matter and is operating with the mindset fit for the 1990s Internet era.
Her insights are particularly relevant in the context of developing regulations for AI and other emerging technologies. Policymakers must ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed in ways that respect individual RIGHTS and promote the public good. This includes addressing issues such as bias in AI algorithms, the transparency of decision-making processes, and the potential for AI to exacerbate the existing social inequalities. By incorporating ethical considerations into technological governance, political leaders can help ensure that AI serves to enhance democratic values rather than undermine them.
The rapid advancement of AI technologies also raises questions about the future of work, privacy, and security, compelling policymakers to proactively address these concerns by establishing robust frameworks for data protection, ethical AI use, and equitable access to technological advancements, ensuring the creation of a society where technology enhances human potential without compromising fundamental rights and freedoms. However, Nepal is moving towards a surveillance state highlighting the urgency for comprehensive legislation and oversight mechanisms to safeguard individual liberties in the face of increasing technological surveillance. The government is unable to effectively regulate cryptocurrency and TikTok, prompting calls for an outright ban.
Posthuman democracy
Ferrando introduces an important concept of "posthuman democracy," which extends democratic principles beyond the human realm to include non-human entities and artificial intelligence. This radical reimagining of democracy challenges leaders to think about inclusivity in new and innovative ways. In a posthuman democracy, the voices of all entities, both human and non-human, are considered in decision-making processes. However, Nepal remains entrenched in the outdated 18th-century ideas of democracy, and the rhetoric in parliament continues to revolve around this notion. Parliament has become akin to a daytime soap opera for the masses, discussing issues more suited to the first Industrial Revolution of the 19th century.
This concept of 'posthuman democracy' holds profound implications for governance. Currently, democratic systems, rooted in human sovereignty, often neglect the interests of non-human entities. By broadening the scope of democracy to encompass these voices, policymakers can forge more inclusive and resilient political systems, establishing new institutions and mechanisms to represent the interests of non-human entities, such as environmental councils or AI ethics boards. In doing so, political parties and leaders can equip the political system to better address the intricate and interconnected challenges of the 21st century.
The most radical aspect of 'posthuman democracy' lies in its call for a reevaluation of citizenship and rights, advocating their extension to non-human entities and artificial intelligences through the establishment of new legal and institutional frameworks. This inclusive approach holds the potential to foster more comprehensive and sustainable policies, placing the needs and well-being of all inhabitants of our planet at the forefront. The notion of granting citizenship to AI entities may exceed the comprehension of those in parliament, as the hallowed halls are filled with empty rhetoric that fails to align with the realities of the 21st-century AI-driven world.
Global solidarity and species agency
Ferrando also underscores the significance of global solidarity and species agency in tackling transnational challenges like pandemics, climate change, and biodiversity loss. She contends that conventional, human-centric strategies are inadequate and advocates acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life forms. This viewpoint advocates a fresh paradigm of global solidarity that transcends national boundaries and places the well-being of all species at the forefront, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, Hinduism's concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' meaning 'the world is one family,' emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life forms and promotes a sense of unity and reverence for the natural world, which aligns with her call for global solidarity.
Establishing comprehensive international cooperation frameworks to address these issues is imperative. This entails engaging global institutions like the United Nations and establishing new mechanisms for international collaboration on environmental and health matters. By nurturing a sense of global solidarity, political leaders can formulate policies that effectively tackle the underlying causes of transnational challenges. Moreover, this approach underscores the importance of equitable distribution of resources and benefits, ensuring that policy decisions consider the well-being of all species.
One practical application of her ideas is the development of global treaties and agreements that reflect a posthumanist perspective. This necessitates revising the existing treaties to incorporate climate action, conservation, and public health, ensuring that policies are crafted with the interconnectedness of all life forms in mind. Such an approach holds the promise of yielding more comprehensive and effective solutions to address the intricate realities of global challenges.
Implications for governance
Ferrando’s vision of a Posthuman world has significant implications for governance and policy. Her work highlights the need for a cultural shift towards posthumanist thinking in public administration and governance, necessitating the inclusion of non-human entities, including AI, in decision-making processes. This shift requires rethinking traditional governance structures and developing new institutions and mechanisms that reflect the interconnectedness of all life forms.
Furthermore, her work underscores the importance of ethical considerations in policy development. Whether addressing environmental issues, technological governance, or democratic processes, policymakers must ensure that their decisions are guided by ETHICAL principles that respect the rights and dignity of all entities. This involves developing new laws and regulations and fostering a culture of ethical awareness and responsibility within government institutions.
Ferrando’s book "The Art of Being Posthuman” is undoubtedly essential reading for political parties, leaders, bureaucracy, policymakers, and academia. It offers a comprehensive framework for comprehending and addressing the profound changes and challenges of our era. By embracing posthumanist principles outlined in the book, humanity can forge more just, sustainable, and resilient societies, better prepared to confront the future. Her vision is not just an academic exercise but a practical guide for transforming the world for the better. Her work challenges us to rethink our assumptions, broaden our perspectives, and take action to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all intelligent life forms, including AI.
Political parties entrenched in a mindset reminiscent of the 18th-century era of horse-drawn carts encounter obstacles in adjusting to the dawn of a Posthuman era, symbolized by the advent of self-driving cars. This new epoch, characterized by technological leaps and changes in societal values, presents a potential challenge to established democratic structures seen as ethically questionable or outdated. This shift demands a reassessment of traditional power dynamics, a reimagining of citizenship and participation, and the strategic integration of technology to foster more inclusive and morally upright democratic practices.
In essence, this book is essential reading for Members of Parliament, both at the federal and provincial levels, as it prompts discussions on impactful topics like granting citizenship to AI, among other forward-thinking themes crucial for preserving democracy in the 21st century world.
