Examining the Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Transformation of the Concept of State

Introduction
Today, science and technology have become the most powerful and enduring agents of social change and transformation in international affairs (Skolinloff, 2002). Emerging technologies can reinvent various economic, social, and political spheres, while also creating significant gaps across different sectors of government (UNDP, 2021). Science and technology are relatively new players on the world stage, and as Arthur Clarke—the person who first suggested the possibility of satellite communications—observed, for most inhabitants of the planet, advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic (Bromley, 2002). It is also worth noting that advances in technology have repeatedly played an important and influential role in global change. However, the model of influence in the Fourth Industrial Revolution will differ from that of the past. The impact of technology on areas related to government is a topic that appears intermittently in the works of many thinkers in this field. Although technology is not extensively addressed in earlier works, its role and impact have been acknowledged in terms of both quantity and quality. By examining scholarly views, it can be claimed that the role and influence of technology—regardless of its degree—is referenced across various thinkers, including commentators from the three main paradigms of international relations: realism, liberalism, and constructivism (Eriksson, 2021). It is also worth mentioning that, over time, as we move from the past to the present, the emphasis on technology as an influential force on the concept of the state has increased. Different scholars, each from their own perspective, have examined the influence of technology on the concept of the state. Current security systems are being challenged; digital and algorithmic systems are being created; data warfare is emerging; state knowledge is increasing; the tools at the disposal of governments are being empowered; and international regimes and norms are being shaped by a new, platform-based order. Other noted effects include the quantitative and qualitative enhancement of both hard and soft power of governments, the changing form and image of traditional warfare, the reduction of traditional state authority, shifts in models of governance and in the tools of state supervision and control, and the growing role of non-state actors and technology giants. In the following article, the main question is: What is the impact of new technologies on the concept and specific functions of the state?
 
Methodology
This research is fundamental in nature and adopts a descriptive-analytical approach. It analyzes the relationship between emerging technologies and the state by examining library resources and applying established scientific research methods.
 
Results and discussion
The subject of new technologies is categorized under the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (UNDP, 2021). A key distinction exists between the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and those of previous industrial revolutions (Schwab, 2017). While the first three revolutions transformed human life, they preserved the traditional foundations of the "state" and the conventional principles governing nation-state relations. In contrast, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is disrupting the traditional principles, rules, and assumptions that have governed nation-states since the Treaty of Westphalia.
This treaty, which ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe, established political units separated as nation-states defined by four characteristics: sovereignty, government, territory, and population. An examination of previous industrial waves reveals that their changes not only preserved but also constituted the nature of these four pillars. New technologies, however, are now challenging the very nature of these components. As a result, the future relationships and dynamics among these pillars will differ from the past, meaning new technologies will significantly affect core concepts and functions such as “power”, “threat”, “security,” and “relations between states” (Ferguson, 1999). It is also important to note that new technologies have altered the concept, nature, and sources of power, while simultaneously emerging as a distinct source of power in themselves (McCarthy, 2015). Accordingly, it seems new technologies will surpass and overcome old structures. There is a certain irony that Europe, the birthplace of the modern nation-state, is now a proponent and pioneer of new forms of political formation (Ferguson, 1999, p. 24). Finally, it is critical to recognize that the impact of new technologies on governments will be reciprocal and two-way in nature (Drezner, 2019).
Considering the materials and discussions presented, as well as the frequent references to political science perspectives and thinkers and the exploration of contemporary governance, it is clear that the concept of the state and its specific functions are being transformed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In the future, we will confront a different formulation of the elements of power and the pillars of the nation-state compared to the traditional theory grounded in the Treaty of Westphalia. The four elements of the nation-state in the Westphalian concept—government, sovereignty, territory, and population—are on the verge of substantial change. Influenced by this transformation, the specific functions of the state are also evolving. Components such as providing security, countering threats, the nature of power, and the manner of interaction between political units in the international system will all undergo significant changes. This shift necessitates a fundamental rethinking and remodeling of established frameworks.
 
Conclusion
Considering the materials and discussions presented, as well as the frequent references to political science perspectives and an exploration of contemporary governance, it is clear that the concept of the state and its specific functions are being transformed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In the future, we will confront a different formulation of the elements of power and the pillars of the nation-state compared to the traditional theory grounded in the Treaty of Westphalia. The four elements of the nation-state in the Westphalian concept—government, sovereignty, territory, and population—are on the verge of substantial change. Influenced by this transformation, the specific functions of the state are also evolving. Components such as providing security, countering threats, the nature of power, and the manner of interaction between political units in the international system will all undergo significant changes. This shift necessitates a fundamental rethinking and remodeling of established frameworks. Accordingly, the state is leaving its exclusive sphere of authority and will share this exceptionality with other actors. Some of the state’s specific functions will be outsourced to the private sector, and the government’s role will shift from a direct executor to an employer, rule-maker, and supervisor. The actions of SpaceX in expanding satellite internet and the proliferation of cryptocurrencies serve as clear examples of this trend. On the other hand, the model of governance itself will evolve due to heightened public awareness influenced by information technology. Also, public acceptance of and loyalty to government will be redefined. Furthermore, power will increasingly assume a non-territorial character, and the importance and influence of territory will change under the pressures of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technological capabilities are now able to compensate for geographical limitations. This is demonstrated in several areas: the creation of strategic depth through technology rather than land, the potential for extraterritorial cultivation enabled by advanced technology, and the growing dominance of knowledge-based economies over traditional agricultural production, among other shifts.