Diogenes and the Citizen-Hacker of Global Democracy

Abstract

The classical Greek philosopher, Diogenes was the first person on the historical record to describe themselves as cosmopolitan and his work has relevance for today. As the global economy adapts new communication technologies to spread its influence, it is shifting power away from the representative institutions of nation states. The question arises as to the nature of any possible global democracy that could moderate this emerging economic power and the consequent ethos of its citizenry. It has been noted elsewhere that the hacker, arguing for new human rights in an environment of all-encompassing global technology, is the prototype for the citizen of global democracy. This paper argues that a return to Diogenes and his critique of Greek citizenry provides some useful insights for the putative citizen hacker of global democracy. Diogenes' cynic philosophy is much more than the sarcastic disbelief in human goodness that cynicism has come to mean today. Diogenes' opposition to convention and servitude and his support for self-sufficiency and free speech suggest some key characteristics for the citizen-hacker and point to possible paths towards cosmopolitan democracy.