Designer governance

Neuroscience and neurotechnologies are challenging the fundamental assumptions upon which most modern constitutional governments were first designed, and have the potential to revolutionize the practice of governance as we know it. This paper begins by tracing how models of cognition and human nature formed the foundational design logic (and perceived design constraints) for almost all of the “constituted” political entities of the last two and half centuries. It then looks at how advances in the brain sciences have expanded, and in many cases overturned, common beliefs about how the brain works and notions about “human nature.” These include the re-imagining of the bounded, independent individual, the place of rationality and emotion in decision-making, and new understandings of human capacities (and incapacities) for foresight. Next, it analyses the new responsibilities and dilemmas generated by an emerging neuropolitics. Finally, it lays out four alternative futures for governance, with emphasis on the ways agents of power might respond to these changes and how basic political structures of government could evolve within several possible neurocentric worlds.

► The core foundations of modern governance rest on weak and outdated understandings of the brain and mind.
► Neuropolitics will define the lexicon of political contestation and power.
► Governance for the 21st century will be designed based on insights from neuroscience and will leverage neurotechnologies to enforce policy.