Digital Geopolitical Environment and Politics
Digital space, a virtual realm created by humanity, allows information to propagate at the speed of light, transcending conventional geographic limitations of time and space. For a considerable period, the notion of digital space as an independent entity gained widespread acceptance, largely due to the disruptive and unique nature of digital technologies, positing it as a global public domain unfettered by national borders. However, data does not flow in a vacuum. States retain significant control over information infrastructure, data, computing power, and algorithms. Consequently, while digital space may be liberated from the constraints of the geographical environment, it remains profoundly influenced by international politics. As the value of digital space in economic, security, and political domains continues to grow, concepts from traditional geopolitics, such as the critical position of land, maritime, and strategic chokepoints, are being mapped onto the digital realm. This demonstrates that the complex interplay between digital technology and politics has led to the birth of digital geopolitics. On one hand, digital technology reshapes the geopolitical environment, while on the other, states concurrently influence the course of digital technology.
