1st Edition

National Governments and Control of the Internet A Digital Challenge

By Giampiero Giacomello Copyright 2005
    224 Pages
    by Routledge

    224 Pages
    by Routledge

    In recent years, Internet control has become one of the major indicators to assess the balance between freedom and security in democracies. This book explores and compares why, and to what extent, national governments decide to control the Internet and how this impacts on crucial socio-economic activities and fundamental civil rights. The author provides detailed studies on the US, Germany, Italy and further case studies on Brazil, Canada, India, the Netherlands, South Africa and Switzerland, to address topics such national security, freedom of expression and privacy.

    Foreword by Thomas Risse 1. Introduction 2. Sometimes Security Just Does Not Prevail: The Case of the Cryptowars 3. What Democracies Do? An Overview 4. The United States: The Sole Information Superpower 5. 'Das Netz Uber Alles': Germany On line 6. 'Internet Per Tutti!': Italy's Elusive Information Society 7. Conclusions: Digital Winners, Virtual Losers

    Biography

    Giampiero Giacomello is a post-doctoral associate at the Peace Studies Program, Cornell University and visiting professor of international relations in the Department of Politics, University of Bologna. His research interests include international relations and security, and computer networks and cyberterrorism.