If You Love Information, Set It Free. Promoting Freedom of Expression by Expanding Cyberspace Operations

摘要

This thesis examines freedom of expression in the Internet Age. Throughout history, authoritarian regimes have used information control as a way to retain their power, but information technology is making achieving this objective increasingly difficult. In the modern era, attempting to control information may be a strategic weakness of authoritarian regimes that democratic nations can exploit. By expanding access to the Internet and helping oppressed individuals circumvent political censorship, democratic nations may be able to expand the sphere of global freedom and produce a more peaceful and stable world order. This thesis reviews how both censorship and circumvention work. It also examines how various agencies in the United States view cyberspace and the role that cyberspace plays in their strategies for influencing others. Freedom will not come without some difficulty; therefore, potential problems associated with promoting freedom through information technology are also presented. Finally, this thesis presents a series of recommendations, largely focused on the Department of Defense, for promoting freedom of expression through Internet freedom initiatives.