Technologizing Infrastructure for Peace in the Context of Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

This chapter builds on Ayse Ceyhan’s ‘technologization of security’ thesis to suggest alternative ways of harnessing technology for peacebuilding beyond physical security. We argue that in as much as technology is key to the various dimensions of security, its current application remains overly a ‘hard security’ issue (surveillance, biometrics and military intelligence). Yet, the emerging peace and security architecture is deeply rooted in human security facets that requires multidimensional approach. Application of technology to peace and security has also been found to generate new social challenges. For example, in politically charged ethnic societies, researchers have established a significant correlation between cell phone coverage and occurrence of violence. The concern of this chapter is therefore to explore ways of harnessing the ‘constructive’ attributes of technology for peace, at the same time define the ‘negative externalities’ resulting from ‘fusion of technology’ to the infrastructure of peace (I4P) within the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) environment.