International Journal of Communications Law & Policy

WHO IS BIG BROTHER?
National Governments and the Regulation of the Internet

By Giampiero Giacomello

Download the Paper in PDF Format: IJCLP Web-Doc 2-5-2000

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of why national governments may want to control the Internet, despite the fact that such a decision could be implemented only with high costs and consequences. Various hypotheses are tested here by using quantitative analysis, proving that, as many observers seem to think, there is indeed an opposite thrust between preserving national security and liberalizing telecommunications. How this dilemma will be solved by democracies will affect the way that other countries, including non-democracies, will confront the issue in the future. Clearly, these developments will also influence the way that non- governmental organizations, states and international organizations can communicate and operate in the international arena, and thus will impact the way international affairs are conducted.