Investigating Singapore’s Cyber Norm Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/rir.v8i1.67087Keywords:
cyber norms, Southeast Asia, Singapore, small state, cyber norm entrepreneurAbstract
Global actors have been developing cyber norms in order to manage cyberspace. In the Southeast Asia region, Singapore emerges as a leading state in cyber cooperation. Its proactive participation has contributed to development of cyber joint efforts in the region. The city-state’s central role raises the question of whether it can be considered a regional cyber norm entrepreneur. To answer this question, the study uses a constructivist approach and employs the analytical framework of small states as cyber norm entrepreneurs with three parameters, i.e., type of engagement, avenue, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capabilities. The research method is qualitative with a process-tracing mechanism. The data are based on archives or documents available online. The result of analysis indicates that Singapore can be labelled Southeast Asia’s cyber norm entrepreneur. The island nation mainly relies on soft approaches in constructing and developing the norms. It also heavily depends on ASEAN as a platform for norms engagement. Its ICT development level is at an advanced level compared to other nations globally. This research contributes to the study of small states’ role in norm entrepreneurship and exploration of the cyber landscape in Southeast Asia.
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