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Globalisation & Law Network seminar with Maja Sahadžić

Technology, particularly when concentrated in the hands of powerful individuals, can seriously challenge liberty and democracy. On 20 February 2025, the Globalisation & Law Network had the opportunity to discuss these challenges with Dr. Maja Sahadžić, Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law at Utrecht University and Visiting Professor at the University of Antwerp. Maja’s contribution, entitled ‘Technology and Antidemocratic Practices, between Centrality and Peripherality’, addressed state and non-state actors’ antidemocratic behavior supported by technology. Šejla Imamović served as a discussant, offering reflections from the perspective of human rights law.

Maja kicked off her talk by introducing democracy and the rule of law as mutually connected concepts, both of which are influenced and even limited by governments. While much has been written about traditional challenges to democratic orders, such as populism and corruption, the current landscape is drastically changing due to the sweeping advent of state-of-the-art technology. Maja explained how technology currently transcends all democratic processes and highlighted the increasing prominence of private companies in shaping them. To illustrate her point, she provided useful examples of the illiberal use of technology in both authoritarian and democratic states, as well as illiberal practices of non-state actors. Since Big Tech firms do not fit into the original idea of separation of powers, Maja wondered whether the doctrine of constitutional law should be enriched with new concepts and principles or whether it would be sufficient to reinterpret the existing ones. Additionally, drawing on her expertise in multi-level governance, Maja emphasised the need to reevaluate the centre-periphery relationship and examine not only vertical but also horizontal modes of accountability and democratic control. 

Curious about the current challenges of law and governance? You are warmly welcomed to register for the upcoming research seminars organised by the Globalisation & Law Network. We look forward to seeing you there!

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