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Published in:
2023 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Digital Geography and Digital Borders in the Era of Information Globalization
Author : Elena Zinovieva
Published in: Proceedings of Topical Issues in International Political Geography
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
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Abstract
Internet fragmentation is a popular topic of the scientific research; specialized terms, such as “Internet Balkanization” and “Splinternet” appear, which describe the new state of the de-globalized information space. This de-globalization is associated with the emergence of digital borders and territorialization of the global Internet. At the same time, according to UNCTAD statistics, the volume of data crossing the borders of states continues to grow. Thus, globalization at the level of data coexists with the fragmentation and digital borders at the policy level.
Methodologically the paper is based on the critical geography approach. Critical geography allows to study digital borders as social constructs, discursive practices that reflect the nature of power relations in the international arena and are a source of power for those who create and control them. Digital borders, due to their social nature, are not impenetrable and the construction of digital borders, therefore, does not mean the end of information globalization.
The article identifies two levels of digital geography and digital borders–discursive and ontological. At the discursive level, they reflect the securitization of the information space and at the ontological level, they are designed primarily to protect against cybersecurity threats.
However, the erection of borders on the discursive level does not imply the end of information globalization on the ontological level of the digital geography. States are interested in the economic benefits that the global connected Internet provides. Global connectivity is the result of business activities, which creates new global digital spaces, contributing to the globalization of the market in order to increase profits.