RES.11-006 | Fall 2026 | Non-Credit

Technofascism, Feminism, and Democracy

Course Description

In recent years, scholars have increasingly pointed out the ways in which large technology firms, social media platforms, and AI have fueled democratic backsliding and provided the data infrastructure and informatic platforms for war, violence, and ethnic cleansing around the world. Various names have been proposed for …

In recent years, scholars have increasingly pointed out the ways in which large technology firms, social media platforms, and AI have fueled democratic backsliding and provided the data infrastructure and informatic platforms for war, violence, and ethnic cleansing around the world. Various names have been proposed for the conjuncture of Big Tech and the rise of authoritarian regimes: technocapitalism, technofeudalism, digital authoritarianism, technofascism, and others. It is this last term—*technofascism—*that this learning community will explore through a feminist lens.

This OpenCourseWare resource features lectures from the Technofascism, Feminism, and Democracy open learning platform hosted by the Data + Feminism Lab at MIT during the academic year 2026–2027. By following the links in the navigation menu on the left, you can register to join the online community and view the lectures as they happen in real time. Videos of lectures from the series will eventually also be viewable without registration on the MIT OpenCourseWare site. 

This lecture series is hosted thanks to support from the Center for International Studies and the Center for Gender, Peace, and Security at the Swedish Defence University.

Lecture Videos
A classic fasces, with the rods replaced by data cables and the binding straps replaced by zip ties.
The ancient Roman fasces, a classic symbol of the authority of the state, consisted of an axe and a bundle of rods, tied tightly with leather straps. This image modernizes that classic symbol. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Erik Sandelin.)