You have probably noticed recently that the term “drones” is being used more and more frequently in newspaper headlines. Ranging from novel ethical concerns to heated political debates, it seems essential to look into what is going on.
Let me begin by offering a brief clarification on what a drone is. Alternatively known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a drone is a peculiar part of today’s ongoing “techno-military” revolution, as I like to call it. Scanning through the skies, a drone’s cockpit lacks the typical human pilot. It either operates independently through a programmed, on-board, robotic system; or is controlled remotely by a human pilot on the ground. You are probably beginning to imagine the massive potential of such a phenomenon, especially if it is going to be one of the norms of the near future.
The military utility of a drone poses not only political or ethical dilemmas, but also social ones, as it carries questions concerning the privacy of individuals. Picture a scenario where a bill has been passed, allowing for a certain class of drones to perform scout missions or patrols at certain times of the day. If you take a look at the design of most drones, you will almost inevitably discern how fit they are for political espionage and modern warfare. So the question to ask becomes, what happens to the sovereignty of individuals and nations in light of the development of this technology?
The United States in particular faces an enormous moral and political dilemma in its use of both armed and non-armed drones in foreign encounters. Of course, this can undermine many facets of its global legitimacy and foreign policy.
A very thought-provoking analogy could be made here. In George Orwell’s celebrated dystopia 1984, we are introduced to Oceania, a state haunted by a totalitarian single-party rule, characterized by mass surveillance and an utter absence of individual privacy. Orwell elegantly paints the picture of the infamous Big Brother, the omnipresent leader of Oceania, imprinted in every citizen’s mind as the sole bearer of truth; hence the phrase “Big brother is watching you” spread into today’s lexicon. This phrase illustrates a parallel risk to our society, especially if the moral and political questions associated with the rise of drones — or other controversial military advancements — are ignored.
If drones, in their different classes and forms, are to become an integral part of our future and a common sighting in our skies, governments should begin by implementing social policies that ensure and secure the jeopardized sovereignty, privacy, and individuality of citizens. Of course, discerning an analogy between drone misuse and Orwellian mass-surveillance does not mean that we should underestimate the positive side of this phenomenon. The Huffington Post reported Colorado Senator Mark Udall’s statements on the positive potentialities of the drone industry; namely, cost-effectiveness, reduced risk to military personnel, and unprecedented terrain accessibility. After all, I am not in any way opposed to technological progress, but we stand at a critical juncture. It is crucial to consider the social, political, and moral repercussions that may arise from the abuse of such advancement.
Omar Bitar is studying Neuroscience and Sociology.
