The access and the control of information has been transforming citizenship. Democracies are facing new challenges since political will is now expressed at several different stances. New possibilities imply a converse standing that must be considered. While the usage of statistics (including large numbers or big data) may legitimate political options that ignore certain social groups, the political usage of statistics may lead democracies to fail by generating less social inclusion, a weaker wealth redistribution, or eventually a greater social control by a small cohort inside a State. In addition statistics work as a particular type of cartography, being able to represent reality in one hand, as to assemble or construct particular realities on the other hand. Statistics represent simultaneously a recurrent tool for deconstruction as public discussions requires, first of all, informed reasoning. The novelty of present days is givens by the upsurge of unstructured data claiming for a new role for statistics, even considering the important role played by texts inside big data.

This research project therefore intends to explore how citizenship and human rights may be threatened and jeopardized in this age of overconfidence in quantitative information. A critical stance is required in order to assess whether a new approach towards neocolonialist political rule is being exerted under the guise of statistics and big data. For that, it may be important to evaluate the role assumed by transnational organizations in global governance and in global political action. In addition it will be important to identify or foresee alternatives in the production of quantitative information under an emancipating framework, capable of fostering citizenship and democracy.

The access and the control of information has been transforming citizenship. Democracies are facing new challenges since political will is now expressed at several different stances. New possibilities imply a converse standing that must be considered. While the usage of statistics (including large numbers or big data) may legitimate political options that ignore certain social groups, the political usage of statistics may lead democracies to fail by generating less social inclusion, a weaker wealth redistribution, or eventually a greater social control by a small cohort inside a State. In addition statistics work as a particular type of cartography, being able to represent reality in one hand, as to assemble or construct particular realities on the other hand. Statistics represent simultaneously a recurrent tool for deconstruction as public discussions requires, first of all, informed reasoning. The novelty of present days is givens by the upsurge of unstructured data claiming for a new role for statistics, even considering the important role played by texts inside big data.

This research project therefore intends to explore how citizenship and human rights may be threatened and jeopardized in this age of overconfidence in quantitative information. A critical stance is required in order to assess whether a new approach towards neocolonialist political rule is being exerted under the guise of statistics and big data. For that, it may be important to evaluate the role assumed by transnational organizations in global governance and in global political action. In addition it will be important to identify or foresee alternatives in the production of quantitative information under an emancipating framework, capable of fostering citizenship and democracy.