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Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
State Autonomy and Encryption: An Examination of Technology's Ability to Impact State Autonomy
Nathan Klassen, MA student, Department of Political Science, University of Regina
Abstract
Dialogue surrounding the impact of technology upon the state is frequently framed as a conflict between technology and sovereignty. Traditionally these discussions have been placed within the context of the larger debate surrounding globalization. This has typically limited the discussion of technology and its impact upon sovereignty to advances in telecommunications and the resulting impact these have had on the global financial community.1 This framing is understandable and perhaps justified due to the supra-geographic nature of communications technology which appears to challenge the territorial nature of state sovereignty. However, technology can be used in a variety of ways. It may challenge the state and its roles, but it also has the potential to strengthen the state. In actuality it is not sovereignty itself that is being challenged, but state autonomy. Sovereignty is an absolute concept and certainly autonomy is a component of sovereignty. However, discussion surrounding sovereignty is theoretical and quickly degenerates into a comparison of definitions rather than an assessment of impact. This paper will examine the impact of technology upon state autonomy, and more specifically how technology threatens state autonomy. Under close examination here is the policy debate surrounding a single technology, encryption.