Toronto IP & Tech Law Scholars’ Workshop: “Autocracy & Technocracy at Work”, with Prof. Valerio De Stefano

Abstract: The workplace has long been shaped by autocratic managerial prerogatives, rooted in historical structures of power that have systematically subordinated workers. This book critically examines the evolution of workplace autocracy, from its origins in public authority to its entrenchment in modern-day corporate governance. With the advent of algorithmic management, these hierarchical power structures have become even more pervasive, reinforcing technocratic oversight and minimizing worker autonomy. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, legal scholarship, and real-world case studies, Autocracy at Work explores the ways in which managerial control has been legitimized through technocratic narratives of efficiency, expertise, and rationality. It argues that modern technology, rather than democratizing the workplace, has intensified surveillance, accelerated decision-making processes devoid of human discretion, and entrenched managerial autocracy under the guise of data-driven objectivity. Ultimately, Autocracy at Work argues that unchecked managerial power is not only an economic issue but also a democratic one. It offers a roadmap for redefining workplace governance, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the cost of worker rights and autonomy.