The Governance of Cyberspace by Brian D Loader (9780415147231)

Description - The Governance of Cyberspace by Brian D Loader

That information and communications technologies (ICTs), such as the Internet, are challenging the very fabric of our political systems can no longer be doubted. Yet the nature of such technologically driven changes and their desirability is hotly contested. The Governance of Cyberspace critically focuses upon the alleged transformations in power relationships between individuals, government and social institutions as they are emerging in what is becoming known as cyberspace: a computer generated public domain which has no territorial boundaries, is controlled by no single authority, enables millions of people to communicate around the world and maybe encourages post-hierarchical control of populations. The ability of computer networks to transcend modern conceptions of time and space has considerable consequences for governance based upon the nation-state. Thus traditional forms of government are said to be weakened by an increasing link to control over global communications in cyberspace. Hence 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.
By advancing this debate, the authors have tried to steer a course between those proclaiming cyberspace as a liberating technology and the alternative prophesies of those opposed to technological change. In this way, The Governance of Cyberspace is intended to encourage a more informed discussion about the nature of the changes which the new ICTs are heralding in and should be of considerable interest to all those who are concerned about the technological shaping of our political future. Simon Baddeley, University of Birmingham, Roger Burrows, University of York, Dave Carter, Manchester City Council, Dorothy Denning, Georgetown University, Washington DC - U

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