Conceptualizing a Digital Monopoly of Force

The state's monopoly of force is a central part of the theoretical understanding of what constitutes a state and for understanding the role and task of the police in exercising this monopoly. However, the digital domain challenges the understanding of this monopoly in several ways.

In this context, the police have only recently begun to receive mandates to exercise digital force, for example through legalized hacking.

Similarly, the monopoly is challenged by the transnational dimensions of the digital sphere and the dependence on private actors.

This project studies how and to what extent the state's monopoly on violence can be translated into the digital context, and how the legal limits set by fundamental rights and rule of law principles affect these conditions.

The intention is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the changing roles of both the state and the police in the digital sphere and to develop theory and analytical tools to understand emerging legislative measures in this area.