3263) Internet Enemies | State of the Internet Outpaces State of Internet Legislation

State of the Internet Outpaces State of Internet Legislation? by Banu Akdenizli*
* Yeditepe University, Turkey

Abstract

It is of common understanding that ICTs play a vital role in the social, political and economic development of every country. But every country does not welcome this technology without struggles. This study looks into the particular case of Turkey. As a semi-periphery country Turkey has been in a unique position, not only geographically and economically, but also politically and culturally. As a country with a predominantly Muslim population Turkey, considered by many as the only Muslim democracy, also has aspirations to become a member of the European Union (EU). A former study by this Author (2007) analyzed the period of 1997-2004 of Internet policy development in Turkey as it unfolded within the context of then current debates regarding globalization forces and the nation-state. This paper picks up where the old one left off, and looks into the most recent influences incorporated in the patterning of Internet development in Turkey. Turkey’s Internet journey, the initiatives relative to the expansion of the Internet in comparison to attempts to control and regulate Internet content does not only demonstrate how adopting the Internet has been a double-edged sword for some countries but could also on a larger scale offer insight to the discussion on the compatibility of Islam and the Western definition of democracy.

Keywords: Internet policy, Turkey, globalization, telecommunication

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Internet Enemies- 12 Mar 2011 World Day Against Censorship

World Map Of Cybercensorship

Internet Enemies
Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Under Surveillance
Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Eritrea, France, Libya, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela. . .

State of the Internet Outpaces State of Internet Legislation by Banu Akdenizli*

As the world has become more interconnected the power of the nation-state is being restructured. Information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly the Internet have and are transforming and even in some cases destabilizing governance and power. It is of common understanding now that ICTs play a vital role in the social, political and economic development of every country. But every country does not welcome this technology without struggles. This study looks into the particular case of Turkey. As a semi-periphery country (as research suggests efforts of the state to pattern the ICT policies will be seen more directly in such countries) Turkey has been in a unique position, not only geographically and economically, but also politically and culturally. As a country with a predominantly Muslim population Turkey, considered by many as the only Muslim democracy, also has aspirations to become a member of the European Union (EU).

A former study by this author “Toward a Healthier Understanding of Internet Policy Development: The Case of Turkey” analyzed the period of 1997-2004 of Internet policy development in Turkey as it unfolded within the context of then current debates regarding globalization forces and the nation-state. Through the...







Internet Enemies- 12 Mar 2011 World Day Against Censorship

World Map Of Cybercensorship

Internet Enemies
Burma
China
Cuba
Iran
North Korea
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

Under Surveillance
Australia
Bahrain
Belarus
Egypt
Eritrea
France
Libya
Malaysia
Russia
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Venezuela






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