Ewan Sutherland

Papers

Total Citations

176

H-Index

About

Ewan Sutherland is a leading scholar at the intersection of digital policy, political economy, and development, with a particular focus on the Global South. His work critically examines the governance of the global digital economy, challenging dominant neoliberal narratives. Sutherland’s most influential contribution, "The Fourth Industrial Revolution – The Case of South Africa" (2019, 161 citations), dissects President Cyril Ramaphosa’s adoption of the 4IR agenda. He exposes its roots in World Economic Forum rhetoric and argues that, without structural reform, it risks exacerbating inequality rather than creating jobs. This paper is essential reading for understanding how developing nations engage with techno-economic paradigms. In related work, "Trends in Regulating the Global Digital Economy" (2018, 15 citations), he maps the evolving regulatory landscape, highlighting tensions between national sovereignty, corporate power, and international frameworks. Sutherland’s research is a vital resource for students and policymakers seeking to move beyond boosterism toward a critical, evidence-based understanding of digital transformation in unequal societies.