Contributor(s): Alec Ross, Professor Michael Cox | Information is transforming what power means and how it operates. Social media, wikileaks, surveillance and big data represent the battleground of a new contest between individuals, corporations and the state that is redefining the structures of power relations. Alec Ross discusses how the information age is changing global politics. Alec Ross is one of America’s leading experts on innovation. He was appointed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Senior Adviser for Innovation, tasked with maximising the potential of technology and innovation in service of America’s diplomatic goals, having previously served as Convener for Technology & Media Policy on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. He is currently writing a book to be published by Simon & Schuster about the industries and businesses of the future. Professor Michael Cox is Founding Co-Director of LSE IDEAS. He is also Head of the United States Programme, Executive Programme Director and an Academic Management Committee Member.