Democratic and Anti-Democratic Regulators of the Internet: A Framework

Abstract

We employ Lessig's framework of regulation to conceptualize the relationship between the Internet and democracy. Lessig defines four classes of regulators, forces that control and define systems such as the Internet. They are markets, architectures, norms, and laws. We propose that a “democratic regulator” is a force that serves to enhance civil or political liberties. And we argue by example that there are democratic (and, indeed, anti-democratic) regulators that control aspects of cyberspace. Expressing the democratic effects of the Internet in this manner may prove useful for future comparisons across existing Internet and democracy theories, especially in the realm of quantitative analyses.

Keywords:

• Internet and democracy
• Internet and democratic regulation
• Internet and political development

Acknowledgments

Michael L. Best is also affiliated with the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Harvard Law School, and the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Keegan W. Wade is also a technical consultant with Blackbaud, Inc.