Symbolic Power and Legitimacy Theatre: Constructing Legitimacy in Global Internet Governance

How can this global system of expression governance be justified? On which actors and institutions does it base its legitimacy? How can it continue to govern internationally, despite on-going predominance by a small set of countries and corporations? This chapter will argue that the picture, painted to the public of Global Internet Governance, has little to do with the actual governance practices. In conclusion this chapter will suggest that multi-stakeholder model of Internet Governance has devolved into a theatrical performance. It is practised at international conferences and events around the world and it has become common for all actors to pay lip service to their support of it. However, it has thus far had little influence on actual practices of Internet Governance.