Giuseppe Porcaro

It is quite common for fiction writers to use research to ground their writing. It is less common in contemporary academia, however, to see social scientists using fiction as a methodology to elaborate a range of hypothesis, as well simulate their impact on society. I argue that the contamination between science fiction, in particular political fiction could be beneficial for political science/geopolitical research. To argument this point, I will describe the methodology I have been using to write my first novel, DISCO SOUR, a story set in a parallel historical timeline where, after the global financial crisis, a civil war-ravaged Europe, nation-states collapsed, and the EU just prevents anarchy. he goal of the project is to counteract populist and anti-European discourses through an accessible, and emotionally appealing counter-narrative.

With the release of Swipe the Vote during US Presidential elections in 2016, Tinder broke new ground in the USA by claiming to be able to match voters with their dream-perfect presidential candidate. The matchmaking app tried to make voting sexy by employing its same cut-to-the-chase dating method. Who would bother to vote in the future if a set of sophisticated algorithms just identified, by trawling your data mine, your ideal candidate, or your policy options, just like Netflix or Spotify predicts your next TV series or your new lovable tunes? How would democracy look like in the future? How would the algorithms influence policymaking? Which skills will be needed by policymakers? What the role of political parties?

The ‘internet of things’ will bring major changes in many areas of life, including the political arena. What will be the new communication tools, strategies and narratives for policymakers?