emember when traditional power centers called all the shots? It wasn’t that long ago that governments, public institutions, businesses, and mainstream media set the public agenda—only later informing the citizenry and consumers of their decisions and decrees.
Those days are well and truly over. In today’s interconnected world, so–called “ordinary” individuals have a massive megaphone with which to weigh in on pressing (or not) issues and influence the public discourse and local and national policies. The rapid expansion of digital and social media platforms has given rise to a vast range of nontraditional voices, from independent commentators and alternative media to grassroots advocates, community leaders, and cultural influencers. Leaders in business and government would do well to pay attention to these voices.
This new sociocultural force, referred to as the Fifth Estate, is changing everything about how people perceive and engage with societal and political issues. It’s creating new spaces for public dialogue, bringing together and mobilizing people around shared interests, values, and causes.
As business leaders, we see evidence of this monumental shift in the choices our consumers make, in the way people engage with our brands, and in the cultural movements that increasingly shape our agendas and strategies. Today, more than ever, at the heart of any successful business is a deep understanding of evolving consumer needs, values, and preferences.
The same holds true in policymaking. In a world grappling with monumental challenges, the need to understand and embrace the power of the individual has never been more pressing. The sheer complexity of the issues at hand—whether we’re talking about climate change or public health crises or economic disparities—requires the buy–in and active participation of the whole of society. For any solution to be workable, it must be built on people–centric policies and governance. This means policymakers must actively listen to the voices of all segments of society and design policies that reflect the diverse needs of the population while ensuring equitable access to innovation, resources, and opportunities. Only in this way can the public sector devise policies and initiatives that are inclusive and effective, addressing the real issues faced by people on the ground.
The rise of nontraditional voices also poses challenges. The decentralized nature of our new power structure can fuel the spread of misinformation and exacerbate polarization. We’ve all seen how quickly false information can gain traction and spread unchecked across platforms. We’ve seen, too, how digital echo chambers give rise to extremism and intensify divides.
Maintaining the integrity of public discourse demands a steady supply of information that is credible and reliable. How many of us feel we have that today? In the business world, we often say that data is king. Companies rely on facts, grounded insights, and scientific research to guide their strategies and make informed choices. Not only is this good for business, but the mechanisms of corporate governance and oversight often wouldn’t allow for things to be done differently. Can we say the same of government? In an era when misinformation and ideological biases regularly skew policy decisions, grounding public governance in robust data and scientific evidence is crucial. Such an approach would enhance the credibility of public institutions while ensuring that their actions are effective and sustainable. By relying on facts and science rather than unsupported ideology or shifting political winds, policymakers can develop informed policies and engage transparently and meaningfully with the diverse voices critical to societal uptake.
As global leaders gather in New York for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, it is encouraging to see more voices acknowledging that real and sustainable progress depends on everyone’s participation—power brokers, decision–makers, and everyday citizens alike. The rise of the Fifth Estate represents a transformative shift in how power and influence are distributed and wielded. By leaning into this new dynamic, policymakers can create more inclusive, responsive, and effective governance—to the benefit of all.
How might the world be better if we all took the time to listen to those our policies and practices most directly impact?
a global affairs media network
Harnessing the new power dynamics in business and policy
Image via Adobe Stock.
September 24, 2024
The rapid expansion of digital and social media platforms has given rise to a vast range of nontraditional voices. This new sociocultural force, known as the Fifth Estate, is reshaping power dynamics as everyday voices are influencing policy and public discourse, writes Christos Harpantidis.
R
emember when traditional power centers called all the shots? It wasn’t that long ago that governments, public institutions, businesses, and mainstream media set the public agenda—only later informing the citizenry and consumers of their decisions and decrees.
Those days are well and truly over. In today’s interconnected world, so–called “ordinary” individuals have a massive megaphone with which to weigh in on pressing (or not) issues and influence the public discourse and local and national policies. The rapid expansion of digital and social media platforms has given rise to a vast range of nontraditional voices, from independent commentators and alternative media to grassroots advocates, community leaders, and cultural influencers. Leaders in business and government would do well to pay attention to these voices.
This new sociocultural force, referred to as the Fifth Estate, is changing everything about how people perceive and engage with societal and political issues. It’s creating new spaces for public dialogue, bringing together and mobilizing people around shared interests, values, and causes.
As business leaders, we see evidence of this monumental shift in the choices our consumers make, in the way people engage with our brands, and in the cultural movements that increasingly shape our agendas and strategies. Today, more than ever, at the heart of any successful business is a deep understanding of evolving consumer needs, values, and preferences.
The same holds true in policymaking. In a world grappling with monumental challenges, the need to understand and embrace the power of the individual has never been more pressing. The sheer complexity of the issues at hand—whether we’re talking about climate change or public health crises or economic disparities—requires the buy–in and active participation of the whole of society. For any solution to be workable, it must be built on people–centric policies and governance. This means policymakers must actively listen to the voices of all segments of society and design policies that reflect the diverse needs of the population while ensuring equitable access to innovation, resources, and opportunities. Only in this way can the public sector devise policies and initiatives that are inclusive and effective, addressing the real issues faced by people on the ground.
The rise of nontraditional voices also poses challenges. The decentralized nature of our new power structure can fuel the spread of misinformation and exacerbate polarization. We’ve all seen how quickly false information can gain traction and spread unchecked across platforms. We’ve seen, too, how digital echo chambers give rise to extremism and intensify divides.
Maintaining the integrity of public discourse demands a steady supply of information that is credible and reliable. How many of us feel we have that today? In the business world, we often say that data is king. Companies rely on facts, grounded insights, and scientific research to guide their strategies and make informed choices. Not only is this good for business, but the mechanisms of corporate governance and oversight often wouldn’t allow for things to be done differently. Can we say the same of government? In an era when misinformation and ideological biases regularly skew policy decisions, grounding public governance in robust data and scientific evidence is crucial. Such an approach would enhance the credibility of public institutions while ensuring that their actions are effective and sustainable. By relying on facts and science rather than unsupported ideology or shifting political winds, policymakers can develop informed policies and engage transparently and meaningfully with the diverse voices critical to societal uptake.
As global leaders gather in New York for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, it is encouraging to see more voices acknowledging that real and sustainable progress depends on everyone’s participation—power brokers, decision–makers, and everyday citizens alike. The rise of the Fifth Estate represents a transformative shift in how power and influence are distributed and wielded. By leaning into this new dynamic, policymakers can create more inclusive, responsive, and effective governance—to the benefit of all.
How might the world be better if we all took the time to listen to those our policies and practices most directly impact?
