The Securitization of Information Space in Russia

Abstract

Thanks to the proliferation of the internet and information and communication technologies (ICT) the world is interconnected more than ever. At the same time, the number of possible threats and vulnerabilities that could occur on a day in this new world of instant and encompassing interconnectedness is increased and increasing exponentially. In light of existence and an increasing number of threats originating from cyberspace, it is still unclear who or what should be the main provider of the shield against ever-increasing threats and dangers of the net. On this subject, it is helpful to study the case of Russia since it was noticed on a number of occasions attempting to install regulation on the Internet and internet-based companies, and eventually to put the Russian segment of the Internet in confines of the national borders. This thesis aims to do that using securitization framework developed by the Copenhagen School of thought. Resorting to the process-tracing case study the study concludes that Russian authorities, security services and bureaucracy are in constant anxious endeavor in uniting all the other discourses of security under the umbrella of regime security.