Governing Cyberspace

Behavior, Power and Diplomacy

Edited by Dennis Broeders, Bibi van den Berg

Publication date:

02 July 2020

Length of book:

336 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781786614940

Cyber norms and other ways to regulate responsible state behavior in cyberspace is a fast-moving political and diplomatic field. The academic study of these processes is varied and interdisciplinary, but much of the literature has been organized according to discipline. Seeking to cross disciplinary boundaries, this timely book brings together researchers in fields ranging from international law, international relations, and political science to business studies and philosophy to explore the theme of responsible state behavior in cyberspace. .

Divided into three parts, Governing Cyberspace first looks at current debates in and about international law and diplomacy in cyberspace. How does international law regulate state behaviour and what are its limits? How do cyber superpowers like China and Russia shape their foreign policy in relation to cyberspace? The second focuses on power and governance. What is the role for international organisations like NATO or for substate actors like intelligence agencies? How do they adapt to the realities of cyberspace and digital conflict? How does the classic balance of power play out in cyberspace and how do different states position themselves? The third part takes a critical look at multistakeholder and corporate diplomacy. How do global tech companies shape their role as norm entrepreneurs in cyberspace, and how do their cyber diplomatic efforts relate to their corporate identity?

Over the last two decades, cyberspace has increasingly become a source of threat and instability. This excellent volume, which includes essays by some of the most important up-and-coming voices in the study of the politics of cyberspace, offers insights into how different actors, from powerful nation states to regional groupings to Big Tech, understand the insecurity and try to impose some sort of order. This book will be a useful addition to courses on international relations and cybersecurity, and of interest to scholars and practitioners.