The role of the state in the internet-mediated information and communication environment

Abstract

The development of the Internet and the absence of national bounderies in cyberspace constantly challenge the role of the state in the new information and communication environment. On the one hand, this new environment challenges the former power of the state stemming from the exclusivity of its territoriality. On the other hand, the role of the state may be observed as being changed but it is certainly not inconsequential. Numerous examples from the past decade testify to the fact that the state still has the power to control its Internet-mediated information and communication environment. In response to the contemporary developments, it has been necessary to introduce conceptual changes. Thus, the term system has been replaced with the term environment; the conceptual framework of strict control through regulation has been replaced with the term management. Although the role of the state has changed, the state still has the central position in the new information and communication environment. The aim of this paper is address the research question: How has the role of the state changed in the new information and communications environment?

Keywords

• information and communications environment
• state
• internet
• (self) regulation
• systems