Duration of the exam: 24 hours. Allowed materials: Any material. Part I: Theoretical questions
Please respond to both questions. Each question constitutes 33% of the grade. Your response to each of the questions should be no longer than 2 pages.
1. You are a trusted advisor to President Donald Trump, who just won his reelection campaign. As he seeks to strengthen his grip on power, the President asks you to advise him on how to restrict online political speech in the US. Please write a brief note that addresses the following aspects: (i) which tools did other governments use to restrict online political speech (please mention at least 2 examples)? (ii) how can the US government collaborate with private companies for this purpose (please mention at least 2 examples)? (iii) what is the effectiveness of each of these methods? (iv) what are their advantages and drawbacks?
2. You are a United States congresswoman. Discouraged by the non-transparent practices of President Trump and his reluctance to disclose his tax records, you are drafting a new law on transparency requirements for politicians who run for office in the United States. Please address the following questions: (i) which existing tools can be used to reveal information about politicians? (ii) what are the advantages and drawbacks of these tools? (iii) what transparency requirements should be imposed on presidential candidates? (iv) what are the justifications for these requirements?
Part II: Reading questions
Please respond to both questions. Each question is 17% of the grade. Your response to each of the questions should be no longer than 1 page.
1. Which approaches are currently prevalent in strengthening the accountability of big data algorithms, according to the article The Global Commons of Data? What is the alternative model that the article suggests? What is your opinion regarding the practical feasibility of this model?
2. What are the guiding principles of the Spanish Podemos party, according to the article published in the Open Democracy Journal? Would this approach be applicable in your home country? Please explain why yes, or why not.