‘In Google we trust’? The Internet giant as a subject of contention and appropriation for the Russian state and civil society

First Monday ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Bronnikova ◽  
Anna Zaytseva
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Civil Liberties ◽  
The State ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Economic Role ◽  
Russian State

This article explores an apparent paradox related to the use of Google services in Russia: several NGOs based in the country consider the Internet giant as a protector of civil liberties. The highly polarized Russian political context, in which local technological companies are increasingly controlled by the State, explains the widespread uses of Google services in daily practices of NGOs. We show how their risk model is focused on the threat emanating from the State, seen as more important than risks emanating from global private companies. In this context, “big tech” solutions are preferred to open source software as they are valued for their usability. Internet giants, such as Google, are understood by civil society actors as powerful allies in this internal confrontation, as their dominant economic role is seen as a guarantee that they will not yield to pressure from authorities. Finally, we will see how, in parallel, self-regulatory virtues of the competitive global IT market, and the strength of global public opinion, are supposed to “naturally” force these companies to comply with ethical standards in data use.

scholarly journals Uczestnictwo społeczne a pandemia w warunkach rosyjskich. A. D. 2020

Politeja ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6(75)) ◽  
pp. 219-235
Author(s):  
Anna Jach
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
The State ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Social Rights ◽  
Group Participation ◽  
Authoritarian State ◽  
Russian State ◽  
First Time

Social Participation and the Pandemic in Russian Conditions: A.D. 2020 The aim of this analysis is a diagnosis of grassroots social (individual and group) participation in the conditions of the state in deepening crisis – the state which not for the first time has turned out to be not only unprepared, but also unable and uninterested in undertaking effective actions preventing and mitigating the results of the pandemic. The accompanying question concerns the endurance of the civil society emerging in an authoritarian state the RF undoubtedly is – the society which, having once tasted self-organization and independence, will not be interested in giving up their constitutional civil freedoms or political, cultural and social rights. What invariably remains an important tool used in the analyzed process is the Internet, which still is beyond the control of Russian state structures.

scholarly journals From “Troll Factories” to “Littering the Information Space”: Control Strategies Over the Russian Internet

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
Ilya Kiriya
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
The State ◽  
Information Space ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
State Information ◽  
Russian State ◽  
Legislative Regulation ◽  
Echo Chambers

This article explores aspects, transformations, and dynamics of the ideological control of the internet in Russia. It analyses the strategies of actors across the Russian online space which contribute to this state-driven ideological control. The tightening of legislative regulation over the last 10 years to control social media and digital self-expression in Russia is relatively well studied. However, there is a lack of research on how the control of the internet works at a structural level. Namely, how it isolates “echo chambers” of oppositional discourses while also creating a massive flood of pro-state information and opinions. This article argues that the strategy of the Russian state to control the internet over the last 10 years has changed considerably. From creating troll factories and bots to distort communication in social media, the state is progressively moving towards a strategy of creating a huge state-oriented information flood to “litter” online space. Such a strategy relies on the generation of news resources which attract large volumes of traffic, which leads to such “trash information” dominating the internet.

scholarly journals Civil Society and Biopolitics in Contemporary Russia: The Case of Russian “Daddy-Schools”

2015 ◽  
pp. 76-95
Author(s):  
Pelle Åberg
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Family Policy ◽  
The State ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
Russian State

This article deals with civil society organizations active in the field of family policy and demographic issues in contemporary Russia. This article uses Michel Foucault’s concepts of biopolitics and governmentality and later developments discussing technologies of citizenship. More specifically, using interviews, documents, and participant observations, so-called “daddy-schools” that have emerged in and around Saint Petersburg since 2008, are studied as a mode of governmentality. The analysis shows how the civic initiative studied attempted to empower fathers and how it has altered demographic discourses while approaching similar societal goals as the state does in its biopolitical strategies. Thus, the daddy-schools provide a complementary discourse concerning fatherhood while approaching the same perceived demographic crisis that the Russian state is challenged by.

Large-scale reluctant privatization: Contradictions and challenges under sanctions

2018 ◽  
pp. 5-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Radygin ◽  
R. M. Entov ◽  
A. E. Abramov ◽  
I. V. Aksenov ◽  
G. N. Malginov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Sectoral Structure ◽  
Russian State ◽  
Financial Characteristics ◽  
Market Relations ◽  
Foreign Competitors

The article discusses the practicability for privatizing some large Russian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under sanctions. Privatization remains a significant trend in the economic policies of many countries, includingRussia. The revenues from privatization demonstrate a steady upward trend worldwide. The effect of external sanctions which create significant difficulties in conducting privatization inRussiadoes not remove from the agenda the issue of privatization of large companies, but also makes it more relevant. Privatization is an effective tool for forming a competitive environment, increasing the efficiency of SOEs and reducing the presence of the state as a direct participant in market relations. The article contains not only theoretical arguments in favor of privatization, but also its relevance, especially considering the sectoral structure of the economy and the performance indicators of large SOEs. A particular feature of the research methodology is the evaluation of the performance of 29 large SOEs on the basis of a universal set of financial indicators. As a benchmark, we use the financial indicators of 144 Russian private companies and wide samples of foreign competitors for each SOE. The results show that the consolidated financial characteristics of SOEs tend to be inferior to those of private companies and foreign competitors. In addition, the total return, including dividend yield, on the state-owned enterprises’ equity is below the return of market benchmark with lowest risk.

scholarly journals Features of Internet Dialogue at the Modern Stage

2021 ◽  
pp. 111-118
Author(s):  
Z.Kh. Kobleva ◽  
I.A. Karataban
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
The State ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Technologies ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Important Principle

The article analyzes modern Internet technologies that have a significant impact on the process of relations between the civil society and the state, considers the possibilities of building a dialogue between government bodies with representatives of various social groups, using modern Internet technologies. Special attention is paid to the Internet communications system, as an important principle in the implementation of the policy of openness and accessibility in the activities of public authorities, the priority of which is noted in the relevant regulatory legal acts. The article reveals the mechanism of communication of citizens with state authorities and local self-government through the system of state portals. In this regard, it is necessary to highlight an important feature of the Internet dialogue at the present time: it is close interaction between the subjects of communication, which is increasing due to the modern technical characteristics of the Internet. The relevance of the article is due to the emergence of a serious scientific interest in new forms of Internet communication. The purpose of the article is to study and consider the features of the modern Internet dialogue between the subjects of communication, which is increasing due to the modern technical characteristics of the Internet. In accordance with a specific goal, the following tasks have been set and solved: - to study the concept, forms and organization of communication via the Internet; - to find out the advantages and disadvantages of virtual communication; - to consider the features of the Internet dialogue on the Internet. The practical significance of the article lies in the use of provisions and conclusions in the process of communication between the state and civil society. The methodological basis of the article includes a systematic approach, and methods of comparison and observation. Thus, an information-rich environment can act as an effective platform for the interaction of various people and social groups, representing one of the universal means of communication and information transfer. With the growth of modern computer technologies, the forms and methods of Internet communications are constantly changing and improving. It should be noted that the Internet space is a part of modern society, in which each person has the opportunity for self-realization, which, in turn, arouses great interest from scientists in this topic.

scholarly journals GENERAL THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS OF SOCIALIZATION OF PERSONS RELEASED FROM PLACES OF DETENTION

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-37
Author(s):  
М.В. Бебякин
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
The State ◽  
Legal Policy ◽  
Russian State

В статье исследуются вопросы тенденции современной правовой политики российского государства в сфере социализации лиц, освобожденных из мест лишения свободы, обосновывается позиция о том, что данный вид общественных отношений должен характеризоваться научно обоснованной, системно-последовательной деятельностью, как государства, так и институтов гражданского общества. Annotation. The article examines the trends of the modern legal policy of the Russian state in the field of socialization of persons released from prison, substantiates the position that this type of public relations should be characterized by a scientifically based, systematic and consistent activity of both the state and civil society institutions.

scholarly journals A presença do Estado na rede: Marco Civil da Internet e reforma da Lei de Direito Autoral | The presence of the State on the web: the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet and reform of Copyright Legislation

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Silveiras ◽  
Gilda Portugal Gouvêa
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
Copyright Law ◽  
The State ◽  
Public Consultation ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Brazilian Government ◽  
Public Consultations ◽  
The Web ◽  
The Way

RESUMO Este artigo lida com a atuação do Estado brasileiro e da sociedade civil na Internet a partir de duas consultas públicas realizadas no Brasil através da rede mundial de computadores: Marco Civil da Internet e reforma da Lei de Direito Autoral. O foco se concentra principalmente, mas não de modo exclusivo, na atuação do Estado, em especial no modo como ele exerceu o poder nesses espaços de consulta à sociedade. Analisa-se a conjuntura em que essas consultas públicas foram realizadas, o desenvolvimento de ambas e parte de seus desdobramentos em um passado recente, pois esse processo está em movimento.Palavras-chave: Poder; Estado; Internet; Consulta Pública.ABSTRACT This analyses the role played by the Brazilian government and civil society on the Internet based on  two public consultations held in Brazil on the web: the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet and the reform of the Copyright Law. The focus is primarily, but not exclusively, on the performance of the State, particularly regarding the way it exercised power while consulting society. This paper analyzes the context in which these public consultations were held, the development of both and their recent outcomes.Keywords: Power; State Internet; Public Consultation.

scholarly journals Prevention of Crimes Related to the Storage and Transport of Narcotic Substances and Their Analogues

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 291-295
Keyword(s):  
Necessary Conditions ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
The State ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Russian State ◽  
The Social

The prevention of crimes related to the storage and transportation of narcotic substances and their analogues will not only reduce the number of crimes committed, but also stabilize the social situation in the country, creating the necessary conditions for the formation of a healthy and socially oriented nation and, thereby, increasing the authority of the Russian state in the international arena. Currently, the Internet has a great influence on the consumption of drugs, especially by minors. Solution to this problem depends not only on the state, its power, and departmental structures but also on each of us.

6. Social revolution

2017 ◽  
pp. 84-102
Author(s):  
Craig Jeffrey
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The State ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Social Revolution ◽  
Social Production ◽  
Cultural Expression ◽  
Institutional Infrastructure ◽  
The Media

Social revolution has provided people, elites in particular, with new economic and social aspirations. These have been brought about by a transformation in people’s access to communication technologies through mobile phones and the internet, as well as access to and enthusiasm for education. The educational revolution is in turn linked to a third key shift related to notions of citizenship and the state. ‘Social revolution’ also explains how cultural expression has been encouraged and civil society has increased. However, civil society and social production of hope are limited by three significant weaknesses in India’s political institutional infrastructure related to the law, policing, and the media.

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