The Politics And Technology Of Cyberspace

Addressing the problems surrounding cyber security and cyberspace, this book bridges the gap between the technical and political worlds to increase our understanding of this major security concern in our IT-dependent society, and the risks it presents. Only by establishing a sound technical understanding of what is and is not possible can a properly informed discussion take place, and political visions toward cyberspace accurately map and predict the future of cyber security. Combining research from the technical world that creates cyberspace with that of the political world, which seeks to understand the consequences and uses of cyberspace, Steed analyses and explains the circumstances that have led to current situations whereby IT-dependent societies are vulnerable to, and regularly victims of, hacking, terrorism, espionage, and cyberwar. Two fundamental questions are considered throughout the book: what circumstances led to this state of affairs? And what solutions exist for the future of cyberspace? In tackling these questions, Steed also analyses the emergent and increasingly competing political positions on offer to stabilise the landscape of cyberspace. This interdisciplinary work will appeal to researchers and students of Security Studies, Intelligence Studies, Strategic Studies and International Relations as well as cybersecurity practitioners charged with developing policy options.

Issues of surveillance, control and privacy in relation to the internet are coming to the fore as a result of state concern with security, crime and economic advantage. Through an exploration of emerging debates regarding the possible desirability, form and agencies responsible for the regulation of the internet and an analysis of issues of surveillance, control, rights and privacy, The Governance of Cyberspace develops contemporary theories and considers issues of access, equity and economic advancement. The Governance of Cyberspace encourages a more informed discussion about the nature of the changes which the new information and communications technologies (ICTs) are heralding in and will be of considerable interest to all those who are concerned about the technological shaping of our political future.

This book examines new and challenging political aspects of cyber security and presents it as an issue defined by socio-technological uncertainty and political fragmentation. Structured along two broad themes and providing empirical examples for how socio-technical changes and political responses interact, the first part of the book looks at the current use of cyber space in conflictual settings, while the second focuses on political responses by state and non-state actors in an environment defined by uncertainties. Within this, it highlights four key debates that encapsulate the complexities and paradoxes of cyber security politics from a Western perspective – how much political influence states can achieve via cyber operations and what context factors condition the (limited) strategic utility of such operations; the role of emerging digital technologies and how the dynamics of the tech innovation process reinforce the fragmentation of the governance space; how states attempt to uphold stability in cyberspace and, more generally, in their strategic relations; and how the shared responsibility of state, economy, and society for cyber security continues to be re-negotiated in an increasingly trans-sectoral and transnational governance space. This book will be of much interest to students of cyber security, global governance, technology studies, and international relations. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

The Politics of Cyberspace provides an overview of the impact of the world wide web on the political process. Chris Toulouse organizes the articles according to their theoretical approach--those who take up Habermas's concern with civil society and those who take up the postmodern critique of popular culture. The book covers key issues such as the potential for electronic democracy, the use of the web by mainstream political parties, challenges to the First Amendment, inequalities of access, and new understanding of gender. It also calls for progressive intellectuals to embrace the Internet in their political struggles.

Informed by theories of international relations, this book assesses global political conflicts over cyberspace. It also analyzes the unique governance challenges that the Internet presents, both in terms of technical problems and control over content. The internet is a resource of unparalleled importance to all countries and societies, but the current decentralized system of Internet governance is being challenged by governments that seek to assert sovereign control over the technology. The political battles over governing the Internet-ones that are coming and conflicts that have already started-have far-reaching implications. This book analyzes the shifting nature of internet governance as it affects timely and significant issues including internet freedom, privacy, and security, as well as individual and corporate rights. Controlling Cyberspace covers a broad range of issues related to internet governance, presenting a technical description of how the internet works, an overview of the internet governance ecosystem from its earliest days to the present, an examination of the roles of the United Nations and other international and regional organizations in internet governance, and a discussion of internet governance in relation to specific national and international policies and debates. Readers will consider if internet access is a human right and if the right to freedom of expression applies equally to the exchange of information online. The book also addresses how the digital divide between those in developed countries and the approximately 5 billion people who do not have access to the internet affects the issue of internet governance, and it identifies the challenges involved in protecting online privacy in light of government and corporate control of information.

Virtual Politics is a critical overview of the new - digital - body politic, with new technologies framing the discussion of key themes in social theory. This book shows how these new technologies are altering the nature of identity and agency, the relation of self to other, and the structure of community and political representation.

Introduction to Cyber Politics and Policy is a comprehensive introductory textbook for cyber politics and security courses, and the perfect addition to any International Relations or Intelligence course. Written by Mary Manjikian, an expert in the field and an instructor who has taught the course for ten years, it assumes no prior knowledge of technical concepts, legal concepts, military concepts or international relations theory. Instead, she aims to bridge the gaps between the intricacies of technology and the theories of political science. The book emphasizes the importance of collaboration and understanding between the two fields - students from both technology and political science backgrounds need to understand the implications of technology decisions and the policy questions that arise from them in order to make a meaningful contribution to ever-changing field.

First published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.