University of Twente Student Theses
Automating governance without accounting for algorithmic power : A study of the reconcilability of algorithmic governance and EU values in the Digital Decade policy programme
Widera, S.M. (2025) Automating governance without accounting for algorithmic power : A study of the reconcilability of algorithmic governance and EU values in the Digital Decade policy programme.
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| Abstract: | Algorithmic governance can lead to the abuse of algorithmic power and a violation of the rule of law, one of the core values of the European Union (EU). As algorithms and their use both in the public and private sectors are increasing, it becomes unavoidable for the EU to face the question of how the use of algorithms can be reconciled with EU values. This research analyses the EU's perspective on algorithmic governance in its Digital Decade 2030 policy programme. Through a qualitative content analysis, the theoretical key expectation that algorithmic governance has an exercise of power at heart that can violate the rule of law is examined. While the EU addresses algorithmic governance in the Digital Decade programme, it plays a marginal role throughout the documents. The core theme in which algorithms are portrayed in the Digital Decade programme is a conflict between the potential positive effects on people's lives in the EU that can be brought about through algorithmic governance, and the algorithmic harms that would destroy such a positive vision. The commitment to the rule of law is emphasised, while no clear strategy is laid out for how it will be further strengthened. This research argues that the EU fails to establish a policy programme that ensures that the rule of law will be followed and safeguarded in algorithmic governance. The findings contribute to explaining the contested concept of algorithmic governance in the context of EU policy, and to understanding how the future of algorithmic governance is envisioned by the EU. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 89 political science |
| Programme: | European Studies BSc (56627) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106409 |
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