Book Review: The Tech Coup, by Marietje Schaake

Peter Stojanovic considers a new book that asks difficult questions of the breadth and depth of innovation within our democratic networks, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, by Marietje Schaake.

The Tech Coup: A review

In a world increasingly governed by the most successful technology titans, Marietje Schaake’s latest work delves into the increasingly asymmetrical relationship between private corporations and public governance. The book takes readers behind the scenes of key public-private partnerships and explores the often opaque power structures shaping the digital and civic landscape. Schaake is both a seasoned observer and a participant with privileged access: during her ten-year tenure as a Member of the European Parliament, The Wall Street Journal called her "Europe's most wired politician", while CNN called her a "rising Dutch star". She was selected as one of the "Politico 28" in 2017, and during her last months in office in 2019, Politico also called her one of the 40 MEP's who mattered in 2014–2019, billing her as the "ultimate digital MEP". 

As such, the author shares how and why modern technologies influence the social contract between democratic states and their citizens. This is not just a book about technology, however. It is an exploration of the political, ethical, and economic ramifications of tech-driven governance.

The author's access to the inner workings of global corporations and government bodies is impressive, and drives some of the best narratives. From Elon Musk's ventures like X, Starlink, and Tesla, to lesser-known but equally influential organisations such as Nokia Siemens Networks, the book offers a broad yet detailed perspective. The author paints a compelling picture of how private firms, many of which manage critical infrastructure, hold unprecedented power over public life. A notable quote from US President Joe Biden, “Most critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector,” describes the magnitude of this shift.

While the central theme explores the tension between innovation and regulation, the author is clear: technology is not neutral. This idea serves as a counterpoint to popular narratives about tech as a force for good, challenging the notion that progress is always beneficial. Rather, unchecked technological growth often exacerbates societal inequities and undermines democratic governance.

One of the most striking arguments revolves around the concept of “digital arms” – software tools that, in their application, violate human rights and harm innocents. From surveillance technologies sold to authoritarian regimes, to companies like Palantir, whose employees petitioned their CEO to stop working with ICE, which controls the border between Mexico and the USA, the author writes with urgency how companies are often complicit in the darker uses of their innovations, even if legally they are above board. These examples underscore the moral and ethical obligations of private companies that sell powerful tools, raising the question: is it enough to comply with the law, or should firms take a more active role in preventing their technologies from being weaponised?

In this context, the author critiques the tech industry's refrain that regulation stifles innovation, suggesting that such arguments create a false dichotomy. As the book highlights, the primary goal of democratic governance should not be innovation for its own sake, but rather ensuring that innovation does not break existing social and legal frameworks. Indeed, the author argues, the problem isn't tech versus government—it's people versus people, with companies often profiting from creating bubbles of hubris and market gains.

Schaake is at her best when raising these questions. For instance, the chapter on undersea cables sheds light on a little-discussed but geopolitically critical infrastructure, revealing how private companies control vast amounts of data with little oversight. Additionally, the author provides a balanced examination of the complexities of private-public collaboration, noting that while governments lack the expertise to regulate many tech innovations, they are also complicit in the “great outsourcing” of governance to these very companies.

Key moments in the book, such as the case study of the Kenyan elections in 2017 and the involvement of a French company, expose how international corporate interests can shape domestic politics. These insights into global affairs add depth to the analysis, making the book particularly valuable for those interested in the geopolitical implications of technological influence.

While the book's critique of the tech industry is sharp, it could benefit from a more balanced view of the positive aspects of technological advancements. The book's one-sided approach, focusing largely on the negative consequences of tech overreach, might limit its broader appeal. Readers looking for an objective analysis may feel that the author’s arguments sometimes lack nuance, particularly when discussing cryptocurrencies or the role of certain governments in tech governance.

Moreover, the discussion of tech executives’ negative portrayals in the media feels somewhat contradictory. While criticising the libertarian ideals that fuel some of the industry's worst excesses, the author overlooks the failures of public officials, whose own shortcomings contribute to the rise of tech as an unchecked power.

For C-suite executives, The Tech Coup serves as a sobering reminder that the digital world we were promised—one of openness, freedom, and opportunity—has morphed into something more opaque and tightly controlled by private interests. The great outsourcing of government functions to tech firms is fundamentally rewriting the social contract, with significant implications for both business and society. 

As the book rightly concludes, self-regulation within the tech industry is no substitute for robust government oversight. The outsourcing of essential tasks has, in many ways, led to an “outsourcing of scrutiny,” making it more difficult to hold companies accountable for their actions. For business leaders, this book is a call to rethink the role of technology in society and consider the long-term impacts of their strategic decisions.

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The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, by Marietje Schaake is available to pre-order now.

Marietje Schaake is International Policy Director at Stanford University Cyber Policy Center and International Policy Fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. Between 2009 and 2019, she served as a member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands. 

Peter Stojanovic is Editor of HotTopics.