Introduction

This introduction presents the book’s core theses and core concepts. Section 1.2 introduces the thesis that the internet was a central pillar of the liberal post-Cold War order. Section 1.3 introduces the thesis that the internet represents a reification of liberalism. Section 1.4 defines the terms ‘liberal’ and ‘neoliberal’. Section 1.5 introduces the concept of the ‘postliberal era’. Section 1.6 introduces the thesis that the development of digital sovereignty is a characteristic aspect of the postliberal era. Section 1.7 introduces the thesis that Big Tech’s private government is a characteristic aspect of the postliberal era. Section 1.8 introduces the thesis that the digital empowerment of illiberal civil societies is a characteristic aspect of the postliberal era. Section 1.9 introduces the thesis that the reification of liberalism in the internet contributed to provoking the postliberal turn. Section 1.10 introduces practices of neutralization to preserve liberal values in the digital age.