DIGITALIZATION AND POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: RETHINKING DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Digitalization has become an inevitable driver of Southeast Asia’s economic development, simultaneously reshaping policy frameworks and reconfiguring regional power dynamics. Control over and access to digital infrastructure not only influence the distribution of power but also determine the extent to which digital transformation contributes to equitable and sustainable growth. This study, grounded in the theoretical lens of power relations, explores how digitalization initiatives intersect with political agendas and economic trajectories in the region. Methodologically, the research employs a literature-based analysis that conceptualizes digitalization as a non-human actor interacting with human agency in shaping development outcomes. The findings highlight that technological adoption by itself is inadequate to ensure long-term progress. Sustainable outcomes are contingent upon the architecture of digital policies and the extent to which political will, regulatory frameworks, and economic interests foster inclusivity and accountability. Power relations are decisive not only in setting the pace of digitalization but also in shaping democratic participation within policymaking processes. Where participation is weak, asymmetrical structures emerge that privilege actors controlling digital infrastructure and data, thereby reinforcing dependency and inequality. The study argues that digitalization cannot be regarded as a neutral technological advancement. Instead, it represents a contested arena where political power, economic imperatives, and technological dominance converge. It calls for a critical reassessment of digital governance to ensure that digitalization becomes an instrument of inclusive and sustainable economic development in Southeast Asia, rather than a mechanism that entrenches structural disparities.