Early theories on Internet regulation

Abstract

The paper examines the early theories on Internet regulation, focusing on how they shaped legal approaches to the digital sphere and new forms of governance. It begins by exploring the tension between state and international regulation, as well as the notion of the Internet as a distinct regulatory space. By comparing cyberlibertarian, cyberrealist, and cyberpaternalist perspectives, the paper highlights how early ideological debates reflected fundamental dilemmas between law and technology. It provides an in-depth discussion of Lawrence Lessig’s “code as law” theory, emphasizing the normative function of digital architecture. In contrast, Andrew Murray’s active matrix model foregrounds the interplay between technological and social forces. The paper demonstrates that these early conceptual frameworks continue to shape contemporary debates on platform regulation and digital governance.