Governing the Cyber Space

The internet is often linked to the death of distance. Since it does not matter whether the recipient of an email or data file is in the same city, country or continent, the spread of internet multiplies the transborder activities of consumers and producers. The internet economy or — to use the more comprehensive term — the information and communication technologies (ICT) increase the need for clear rules to accompany the rise in transborder activities. At the same time, however, ICT reduce also the ability of governments to monitor and regulate the transborder activities of its citizens. This contribution examines possibilities and requirements for governing the cyber space and discusses the varying scopes for standardization, coordination and cooperation.