A Comparative Study of China and Russia’s Cyber Sovereignty

• In Event: Poster Session: Comparative Politics

Abstract

China and Russia have long been considered as challengers to the Liberal International Order, especially so in the realm of global digital governance, as they initiate and promote the notion of “cyber sovereignty,” which has gained its increasing popularity. How and why do they converge and diverge in their domestic cyber sovereignty practices and international promotion of digital sovereignty, and how do they coordinate or cooperate to challenge the western-dominated internet governance model? This paper tries to make a comparative analysis of their domestic practices and international promotion tactics of digital sovereignty to get a better understanding of the dynamics of the global digital geopolitical landscapes.

Data Sources: The research draws on a variety of sources including government documents, speeches by key policymakers, and international policy statements. Secondary sources like scholarly articles and expert analyses are also integrated to provide context and supplement primary data.

Comparative Case Study Approach: This paper utilizes a comparative case study approach to explore the cyber sovereignty policies of China and Russia. It involves a detailed examination of each country’s domestic policies and their international advocacy for digital sovereignty. It systematically compares the identified policies and initiatives, highlighting similarities and differences in the approaches of China and Russia. It also examines the geopolitical motivations behind these policies and the implications for international internet governance structures.

Author

• Grace X. Yang, Freie Universität Berlin