The Impact of Technological Disruption on the Geoeconomic Status of Countries: Iran as a Case Study

This study discusses the issue that although technology facilitates affairs in various aspects of human life, it has also assumed a disruptive role. Technological disruption refers to a function of technology indicating that changes in the rules of the game and the components governing the logic of action transform a wide range of international issues (from international security to global governance and foreign policy). These changes, affect the position of countries in relation to adaptation or non-adaptation to new value and performance networks. Accordingly, geoeconomics, as an important platform for emerging competitions for power, has also been subject to technological disruption. This article hence aims to find out how technological disruption can affect the geoeconomic status of countries as well as their position in the international arena. This research was a descriptive-analytical study using the documentary method. The research hypothesis indicates that technological development from the late 20th century has established networking of the operating spaces and governance of currents between countries by shaping the spatial rotation and, as a result, has disrupted and put in doubt the independent agency of geoeconomic actors. On the other hand, by facilitating the exertion of power and authority as the regulator and director of the strategic currents, technology highlights the position of some countries and marginalizes others. This study aims to evaluate in detail the dimensions of Iran’s geoeconomic status, as the study case, based on the intended framework.