Digital Policy Dynamics: International Relations Theory and the Challenge of Global Platform Politics

Abstract

We live in a world of unprecedented connection, where we can retrieve and disseminate information nearly instantaneously at almost any time or place. This revolution in the ability to access and spread information has altered the political sphere. Not only do traditional political actors like policymakers and civil society actors have new tools to conduct politics, but the firms that own and operate this technology have gained immense cultural, economic, and political power, with the means to project such power across the globe. To better understand some challenges presented by this new global platform politics, this dissertation asks: How can international relations (IR) theory contribute to our knowledge of platform governance? I argue that IR theories offer substantial utility in examining how and why governments, firms, and civil society contest, frame, and shape the governance of and governance by online platforms. These dynamics of digital policymaking are examined in-depth through three case studies that represent challenging political problems. Drawing on securitization theory, the first case study investigates the securitization of disinformation in the United Kingdom, where the spread of election disinformation represents a real conundrum considering democracies by definition favor the unencumbered flow of ideas and information. In the second case, the concept of weaponized interdependence helps make sense of the tensions that form between entertainment companies and political forces, particularly for video game developers like Blizzard Entertainment, when deciding to (not) address political speech in virtual spaces they control. The last case leverages the Governance Triangle from the global governance literature to understand how the dynamics of civil society work to influence content moderation policy, as illuminated through the experiences of U.S. civil society practitioners. The cases’ insights point to the need for robust governance frameworks that safeguard democratic values, preserve freedom of expression, and maintain a healthy balance between security measures and the open exchange of ideas. In addressing such techno-political challenges, digital policies should prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and accountability to ensure that decisions affecting public discourse and democratic processes reflect the interests and values of a diverse range of stakeholders.