Conference Agenda

The financial system is a crucial pillar of the world economy. Because an ever-growing portion of economic activity has shifted online, scholars interested in changes in the world economy have been reflecting on the impact of the digitalisation of financial technologies and, to a lesser extent, on their causes. Despite their significance, political science has not systematically reflected the dynamics of new actors entering the field and technological advancements. The paper makes a theoretical contribution and proposes the concept of a digital fix. The concept covers three dimensions: the spatial dimension of digital finance, the problems to be fixed, and the political economy dynamics resulting from capital’s search for new investment opportunities. The paper applies the concept of a digital fix to understand policy responses in three different regions covering diverse issues like interconnectivity, interdependence, and the infrastructure of digital finance. The paper demonstrates that the concept can be used effectively to explore the role of the digital in the shift, deepening, or altering of global asymmetries and hierarchies within the international financial system, as well as the actors and interests behind these changes. This allows us to reflect on the role of digital finance in processes like geo-economisation and geo-politicisation more generally.

While recent scholarship has made significant progress in addressing the narratives and policy shifts associated with digital sovereignty (Falkner et al., 2024), conceptual analyses remain largely rooted in neorealist frameworks, emphasizing control and power. Through well-established concept analysis, this study seeks to determine whether the "digital" layer of sovereignty offers new analytical insights into the concept itself or merely functions as a contemporary policy motto.

Employing a concept analysis methodology, this research investigates three major contexts of theorization: political and normative, explanatory and empirical, and everyday and practical (Berenskötter & Guzzini, 2024). The paper addresses the ontological implications of digital sovereignty by questioning whether the addition of "digital" enhances our understanding of sovereignty as a concept. Does this "newness" reveal deeper ontological dimensions, or is it confined to the operational realm of contemporary policy measures?

A comprehensive review of scientific articles indexed in major databases is complemented by a single-case study of EU AI policy from 2017 to 2020. This empirical case involves a qualitative content analysis of EU documents and public consultation results, mapping the term’s usage within policy discourse. These analyses form the basis for evaluating whether digital sovereignty represents a substantive theoretical evolution or remains tethered to practical exigencies.

Through this approach, the paper situates digital sovereignty within the broader landscape of sovereignty’s conceptual evolution. It contrasts the notion’s potential as an analytical tool with its framing as a transient political narrative embedded at the (foreign) policy level, which has had limited impact on scholarly reflection.

This research seeks to examine how the European Union (EU) leverages digital soft power diplomacy to promote its policies and interests in the Mediterranean area. As the geopolitical landscape in the region evolves, marked by rising tensions and competing influences from regional and global powers, the EU has increasingly turned to technology-driven diplomatic tools to maintain its relevance and influence. These tools include digital platforms, social media campaigns, virtual engagements, and data-driven strategies aimed at shaping perceptions, building alliances, and influencing policymaking. By analyzing the EU’s use of these digital tools, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of its strategies in achieving key policy objectives, such as fostering regional stability, promoting cooperation, and countering disinformation. Additionally, the research will explore the EU’s role as an international digital actor, assessing how its digital diplomacy aligns with its broader strategic goals and values, such as promoting democracy, human rights, and multilateralism. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining case studies, stakeholder interviews, and content analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of digital diplomacy in modern international relations. The findings will contribute to both academic and practical understandings of digital diplomacy, shedding light on its potential and limitations in modern international relations. Furthermore, the study will provide actionable recommendations for enhancing the EU’s digital diplomatic efforts, ensuring they remain adaptive and impactful in an increasingly digitalized world. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, this research aims to inform policymakers, diplomats, and scholars on the evolving role of digital tools in shaping the future of diplomacy.

Policy analysis is inherently intricate due to the lack of universal agreement on what public policy entails or how it should be examined. This intricacy stems from the diverse theoretical and methodological approaches that inform the field. The analysis of digital policies, in particular, presents even greater challenges. These policies are intertwined with complex systems and markets, have global implications, and are often shaped by geopolitical dynamics, further complicating their study.

The examination of policy, including digital policy, can be approached and classified in numerous ways. The policy theory literature offers various frameworks and perspectives for understanding and defining policy. In this paper, we utilize typologies based on ontological (the nature of reality) and epistemological (the nature of knowledge) assumptions to investigate the development of EU digital policies. Our objective is to uncover the mechanisms driving policy change in the digital realm and the factors that catalyze such shifts.

Furthermore, we delve into critical elements of digital policy analysis, such as identifying key stakeholders, areas of agreement and disagreement, and how different groups perceive and interpret digital policies. We also explore how political actors and broader societal groups frame and conceptualize digital policy challenges, as these perspectives can significantly shape decision-making and outcomes.

This paper employs both traditional and contemporary policy analysis methods to analyze case studies of EU digital policies. Through this approach, it seeks to enrich the broader conversation on policy formulation and evaluation. Additionally, it provides a platform to reevaluate existing policy frameworks, research methodologies, and advocacy strategies, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders navigating the rapidly changing digital landscape.