9th International gvSIG Conference. Matter of Sovereignty.

We know how to distinguish whether software is free or if isn't as there is a definition which allows us to differentiate free software, which complies with the four freedoms from [1] privative software, which does not comply with any of them.

However, there are concepts such as freedom and sovereignty that are difficult to explain and of which we surely have different conceptualizations. What is freedom? We have already reflected on this previously in an article published in our magazine, Open Planet. [2]

We are now referring to the "Matter of Sovereignty". What is Sovereignty? What do we have in mind when we hear the word Sovereignty? It is a very fashionable concept. We hear a lot about sovereignty in Latin America, and also in Europe. In the first case we are referring to a firm commitment towards the sovereignty of many states, whereas in the second case we ask ourselves where the sovereignty of the European states lies, with the people or with the financial markets.

The first thing that comes to mind, intuitively, when with think of Sovereignty is a right: The right to choose, to make our own way. If a right is claimed, it is because we have to exercise it against someone. Thus, in Europe, when we are asked where sovereignty lies, whether with the people or with the financial markets, we should characterize sovereignty as a power, a decision-making power that allows us to exercise a right.

Being sovereign means having control and decision-making capacities in strategic sectors, that is, those we consider as essential. On a micro level, this is like when an organization depends on a particular supplier to carry out its activities. The more important the activity, the greater will be its dependence on the supplier and therefore, it will have less sovereignty. At the macro level, if a state does not have these sectors under control, it can hardly aspire to be sovereign.

So what does this have to do with technology? Everything! In the XXI century, can anyone imagine technology as not part of strategic sectors? There is practically no activity or progress, whether industrial, social or within the business environment where technology is not a fundamental aspect. In this sense, and by following the example of where sovereignty lies, whether with the people or within the financial markets, what we need to ask ourselves is whether we govern technology or if technology governs us.

Free Technology is what provides us with the ability or the power to get to know it, to be able to adapt it and thus, govern it; to have the ability to adapt technological solutions to what we want to do and not so that our socio-economic activities are determined by ignorance or even the impossibility of knowing about technological tools that are instrumental in the sovereign and independent development of our societies.

We are again talking about the need of having access to knowledge, and when it comes to software, knowledge is only possible if we are talking about free software, which provides us with technological independence, which enables us to at least aspire to be Sovereign. It is a Matter of Sovereignty, which is the main idea that we are claiming in the 9th International gvSIG Conference in Valencia.

[1] http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.es.html
[2] http://gvsig.gva.es/download/events/gvSIG-Conference/5th-gvSIG-Conference/Magazine/Revista_5as_Jornadas_gvSIG.pdf (pages 2 and 3)