In their book "Who Controls the Internet?" Jack Goldsmith, a law professor at Harvard Law School, and Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, provide a detailed look and view of how the development and growth of the web and the era of free speech among people, confidentiality, and governmental jurisdiction among different sovereign states. The two authors attempt to show that, while the government attempts to manage and pressure middlemen in various ways, they nevertheless require a good regulatory framework in order to maintain dominance over the internet. Goldsmith and Wu try to bring out in detail the idea that the web in different ways is erasing the jurisdiction of the state within the boundaries it governs, therefore, leading to a situation of geographical obsolesce. Also, the authors give a description of how the internet has resulted in a conflicting situation on the real matters of life like culture and tradition. The book is then divided into three primary contents; firstly the internet revolution, secondly the government strikes backs and thirdly the vices, virtues, and future.
Goldsmith and Wu in the first argument tell how the internet as a medium channel, like any other, medium has had a series of stages in the advancement of technology in contrast to the inherited techniques of the previous time periods. It gives the mindset on the effort done by the electronic founders who their primary goal was to have the internet which could have distinct settings but not one subject to the governments` territory control and influence (Eriksson & Giacomello 2). Also, the section gives its views on how large private entities, may they be volunteers or constructors, have excellent control over the resources and policies that make up the internet. The internet is in itself skeptical as it has shown that in recent past it has had a lasting influence of how persons do govern within their locality.
To give an argumentative background, the two authors describe the initial expectations of the internet founders who developed it at its emergence. Nonetheless, they give a challenging idea as to how the internet slowly removes a nation’s powers in a given line of authority. Besides that, the two authors offer a contrary argument on the view of cyber-libertarian vision, which had a dream of having a completely borderless developed internet (Misha 2). They argued that internet had only given more emphasis on the state thus only focusing on one line of direction instead of diversification. On the issue, they provide theoretical literature on the point of discussion like globalization. They give the history of the internet to enhance an understanding of the contemporary state of affairs.
On the second argument it demonstrates how the government strikes back and to show that it is and will remain the primary controller and actor in the internet period. The focus given by Goldsmith and Wu is on the laws formulated by the government to ensure it remains the primary force behind the global regulatory of Internet content and use. They give how different sovereign nations depend on the government of the United States of America to come up with laws and implement them; therefore, protecting them from any fraud or ensuring the contracts they sign are enforced to the later (Goldsmith & Wu 45). A highlight of how there has existed a conflict of interest in laws leading to problems within the Europe Union and the United States of America over the data flow that involves flight histories.
Furthermore, for Wu and Goldsmith to give strong emphasis on their theoretical approach to the second argument, they try to look into the recent study in the governance of internet by the lawful central approach (Lanin 1423). Nevertheless, the approach had its setbacks as it brings negligence to the understanding about internet governance. The two authors did not leave behind the disputing power between nations concerning international political environments. On the overview of this point, the authors take the book reader on the variety of ways the sovereign government put in place present and new laws so that they can give appropriate forms in the direction of the internet. This is in order to give a more pointed emphasis on the content found on the internet and also how the persons providing the content should be within its jurisdiction and locality of regulation.
Moreover, the third argument concerning vices, virtues and the plans to have control over the internet has been comprehensively covered by the authors. Wu and Goldsmith disagree with the head of Oxford Internet institution Mr. William Dutton who had given an idea that important national issues were not taken seriously by splintering of the problems resulting from the web. The two authors give their opinion basing on the rule of decentralization, which meant that it showed that a significant percentage of the population accepted it as a reflection of all nation-states. Conversely, from the inception of modern States, there has risen a big debate concerning the magnitude of the leviathan whereby any differences result to the restriction of human rights as is the case in China (Resnick & Miller 90). This leads to a situation in life the regulations in place should be under scrutiny and not just accepted by the people.
Additionally, the authors give their acknowledgment that bordered internet has resulted in some positive evolution that comes in hand with its challenges to the state and community as a whole. The biggest problem they show is the paradox that is displayed by the Republic of China. They are at the forefront of making sure that they create a free internet to its citizens. The internet that is of world standards and able to sustain its economic growth and development but what happens, in reality, is the usage of the internet to regulate political power to narrow down to a monopoly power in the hands of few elites (Harwit & Clark 377). The author gives this as a paramount example of how the government has control over the internet, has control over power and the content that is added to the internet.
China is a case study of the authors illustrating the drawbacks that characterize the bordered internet as well as how it prevails. They reveal the consequences that are involved with the deployment of the Chinese internet system. With its cultural importance given priority over the address of the critical, rational issues, it fails to address issues like universal human rights (Herwit & Clark 400). Goldsmith and Wu try to show the reader by an illustration of eBay of how the use of the internet to conduct business brought a realization of the laws and that while the regulation by the state in the beginning hindered the business model; they are currently allowing the model. For an efficient internet business operation to proceed, regulations like fraud control and contract fulfillment have to be put in place. Without the rules set in the proper way, the stakeholder who transacts using the internet as the government being the primary stakeholder finds it so hard to do business.
Wu and Goldsmith at the conclusion of their book made an assertion that it is likely that geographical factors of a nation and the power within government will be implemented as a significant state law (Goldsmith 129). Although there will continue to be struggles between countries and nation`s internet principles, there will be much determination of who lives within the bordered Internet among different lives.
Therefore, the book Who Controls the Internet? The illusion of a Borderless World is a more interesting book to read. It gives the reader a wider insight which opens up his mind on the complex nature in transacting and conducting business through the internet. It also creates a sense of appeal in students both undergraduate and the graduates, the professionals and those interested in the internet, regarding the many regulations, national politics, global internet laws and finally on the interrelationship between technology and globalization. Being written in a lucid style, the authors, though being lawyers, did try at all times to use an unambiguous language, and in the case of complicated legal cases, they give detail for the better judgment of the reader.it is the kind of a book that opens up the mind on various debates by asking numerous reasonable questions. It shows how the government is necessary and it also shows historical evolution of the internet; therefore, giving a chance to scholars to debate more and expand on the issues. The highlight of the book brings an understanding of the few technical words used in the operation of internet business in agreement with the both global and national rules.
Works Cited
Eriksson, Johan, and Giampiero Giacomello. "Who controls the internet? Beyond the obstinacy or obsolescence of the State." International Studies Review 11.1 (2009): 205-230.
Glenny, Misha. "Who controls the internet?." Financial Times 9.10 (2010): 1-2.
Goldsmith, Jack, and Tim Wu. Who controls the Internet?: illusions of a borderless world. Oxford University Press, 2006.
Goldsmith, Jack. "Who controls the internet? Illusions of a borderless world." Strategic Direction 23.11 (2007).
Harwit, Eric, and Duncan Clark. "Shaping the internet in China. Evolution of political control over network infrastructure and content." Asian Survey 41.3 (2001): 377-408.
Lanin, Ari. "Who Controls the Internet--States' Rights and the Reawakening of the Dormant Commerce Clause." S. Cal. L. Rev. 73 (1999): 1423.
Resnick, Paul, and James Miller. "PICS: Internet access controls without censorship." Communications of the ACM 39.10 (1996): 87-93.
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