The Power of Digital Infrastructure. How Conflicts between Platforms and States Redefine Sovereignty?
The Power of Digital Infrastructure. How Conflicts between Platforms and States Redefine Sovereignty?

Summary/Abstract: Are digital platforms powerful enough to undermine the authority of the state? In this paper, we spotlight the evolution of state sovereignty by analysing two case studies of conflicts between Facebook and Australia (in February 2021) over media regulations and Facebook and USA (starting in 2019) over the development of cryptocurrency Libra. Using the notion of control over digital infrastructure as manifestation of effective sovereignty we found that the key factors of success in such conflicts include: (a) degree of platform’s control over the infrastructure; (b) strategic importance of the infrastructure; (c) international position of the state in conflict; (d) the power of the sectoral capitals supporting the sides of the conflict. We conclude with a call for further research on both the history of conflicts over infrastructure and their future developments. Understanding the historical context of these conflicts, as well as analysing new cases, will provide better insights into how the development of platforms and infrastructure affects the relationship between states and private entities, shaping the future of digital sovereignty.

• Details
• Contents