Argument-by-technology: how technical activism contributes to internet governance

Who influences the future of the internet, and how? Internet governance literature has focused on discussing multistakeholderism, rulemaking, and sometimes design, but has difficulty considering the impact of technical activism that claims disruption of systems as part of its strategy. This chapter critically examines how and whether technical activism can contribute to internet governance. Drawing on Christopher Kelty's (2004) observation that persuasive arguments can be made both through language and by technology, it examines how existing definitions of governance, which are often focused on rule-making, engage with this broader set of 'arguments-by-technology”.