The unbearable lightness of cyber: Cyberspace and state sovereignty

Abstract

thesis explores the relationship between the cyberspace, which has turned into an inseparable part of individual and social life in every way imaginable and state sovereignty, a fundamental concept of the political science and it attempts to analyze and reveal what implications this new domain called cyberspace can hold for the nation-states. After first delving into what the concepts cyberspace and sovereignty are, the thesis explores the existing literature on cyberspace and state sovereignty. The case studies, which support and depict the main argument of the thesis, are presented under subtitles in a single chapter, constituting the primary section of the thesis. The same chapter also moves on to listing the technical features of cyberspace, both physical and non-physical, that hold significance and potential for the nation states. The thesis ultimately argues that, rather than simply strengthening or weakening state sovereignty, the cyberspace, by deepening and diversifying the interaction channels between the state and other states and non-state actors, both strengthens some aspects and practices of sovereignty and erodes some other aspects of it. The concept of sovereignty needs novel definitions and contemplations in the contemporary era due to the challenges such as cyberspace.