Why Do Governments Attempts to Control the Internet?

• In Event: Internet Policy and Governance

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, the internet and associated digital technology provoked extraordinary enthusiasm regarding these technological tools’ potential to enhance social, economic, and political freedom. However, contradictory evidence of these technologies’ roles has emerged over the last decade. On the one hand, political protests demanding democracy in many corners of the world have utilized these tools to mobilize against authoritarian regimes. On the other hand, non-democratic governments have developed and implemented unprecedented political and technological strategies of restrictions. This contradictory nature of the role of the internet has been captured in the “Liberation” vs. “Control” debate in academic. Although the literature on the interaction between the internet and politics has offered clear ideas about the mechanism of internet control, they give few answers as to why political control of the internet occurs. In addition, comparative research that highlights the major determinants of internet control is infrequent and inadequate. Most importantly, most studies attribute internet control practices to regime type, yet this presumed relationship has not been carefully examined. This research aims to contribute to these areas by seeking theoretical explanations that identify the driving and constraining forces behind Internet control. Three cases of hybrid regimes—Bangladesh, Turkey, and Pakistan are examined.

Author

• Fahmida Zaman, University of Delaware