Digital Society and Global Politics both examine who can influence or control others, but they apply power to different fields. In Digital Society, power is analysed through digital systems and their effects on people and communities; in Global Politics, it is usually analysed through political relationships, institutions, states and global actors.
In IB Digital Society, power is “a person’s or group’s capacity to influence or control the actions of others.” The concept is not limited to governments. It includes the power of technology companies, platform owners, developers, users, institutions and communities. The syllabus emphasizes that power is structural, embedded in organizations and governments, and not equally distributed.
| Feature | Digital Society | Global Politics |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | How digital systems distribute or reshape influence and control | How political actors exercise influence and authority |
| Typical actors | Platforms, developers, users, governments, communities and non-users | States, governments, international organizations, NGOs and social movements |
| Key questions | Who controls data, algorithms, access and digital spaces? Who benefits or is excluded? | Who has authority, legitimacy or influence? How do actors pursue political goals? |
| Example | A recommendation algorithm can determine which information users see, giving a platform power over expression and knowledge | A state may use economic sanctions or diplomacy to influence another state’s behaviour |
The difference is therefore one of emphasis, not a completely separate definition. A government regulating a social-media platform could be studied in both subjects: Digital Society would examine data, algorithms, access and impacts on people and communities, while Global Politics would focus more on authority, governance, legitimacy and competing political interests.
A common misconception is that Digital Society power means only political power. It does not. When answering an IB Digital Society question, define power, identify the digital system, explain how influence or control operates, and evaluate its impacts and implications for at least two groups. Do not merely name a powerful actor; show the mechanism through which power is exercised or challenged.