Estonia is renowned for its advanced digitalization and technological innovations. This digital prowess has led to its society often being dubbed “e-Estonia.” The hallmark of e-Estonia lies in the seamless interactions between its citizens and the government, facilitated by cutting-edge Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
But what does this have to do with technoliberalism? At its core, technoliberalism is a political philosophy grounded in principles of freedom, individuality, responsibility, decentralization, and self-awareness. Furthermore, it advocates for ubiquitous access to technology with minimal oversight. Central tenets of technoliberalism encompass areas like Government Building, Economics, Civil Liberties, Education, and Science and the Environment. It champions ideas such as a balanced government, decentralization, affordable education, environmental protection, appreciation of Fine Arts, and unrestricted communication technologies. Recognize the parallels?
The Estonian model integrates a robust free market, encouragement for entrepreneurship, a Land Value Tax, accessible education and healthcare, and the efficient blending of public-private collaborations. Its hallmark is the extensive digitalization of public services, ranging from voting to tax filings and even residency applications.
How did Estonia reach these heights? The trajectory of Estonian digitalization can be traced back to the challenges posed by its Restoration of Independence in 1991. With a primary infrastructure reflective of the Soviet era and less than half of its populace owning telephone lines, the nation had a significant digital divide to bridge. Recognizing this disparity, the first Prime Minister, Mart Laar, and his administration embarked on an ambitious journey to modernize and digitalize. This transformative period ensured that the nation transitioned from basic telephony to widespread mobile phone usage, ushering in a new digital era.
A cornerstone of Estonia’s digital evolution was the Tiigrihüpe (Tiger Leap) initiative, launched in 1996. Championed by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who later became the President of Estonia, and then Minister of Education, Jaak Aaviksoo, the program aimed to significantly bolster the nation’s computer and network infrastructure. A key focus was to enhance educational access, and by 1997, an impressive 97% of Estonian schools were online.Today, Estonia stands as a beacon of liberal ideologies in both its economy and political spectrum, ever-striving towards a tech-driven society. This alignment with liberal principles effortlessly translates to technoliberalism and other tech-focused philosophies that aim for a streamlined and decentralized society.