Latourian Actor-Network Theory on Global IGF 2013 Bali — Human and non-human actors

This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Science and Technology Studies — most prominently associated with Bruno Latour — to re-read the Global IGF 2013 Bali conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.

Introduction: The Problem

Latour's actor-network theory in Reassembling the Social treats humans and non-humans symmetrically. Global IGF can be read as an assembly of protocols, cables, regulations, and humans.

This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Global IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Human and non-human actors, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.

Assemblies of protocols, cables, humans

サイバーセキュリティ debated at Bali typifies treating technical artifacts as political actors. Latour's "parliament of things" is a theoretical extension of IGF.

The conference theme "Building Bridges – Enhanced Cooperation" carries implications beyond a mere policy slogan. It can be positioned as a contemporary reformulation, in digital-era vocabulary, of the kinds of questions Bruno Latour problematized.

The form of the Global IGF stands between the principle of national sovereignty and the logic of a global public realm that transcends it.

Parliament of things

Bruno Latour's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2013 conference. We examine that application below.

1. Application to "サイバーセキュリティ"

Discussion of "サイバーセキュリティ" can be positioned, from the perspective of Bruno Latour's Human and non-human actors, as a central problematic. In Indonesia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around サイバーセキュリティ are particularly at stake.

2. Application to "プライバシー"

Discussion of "プライバシー" can be positioned, from the perspective of Bruno Latour's Human and non-human actors, as a derivative problematic. In Indonesia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around プライバシー are particularly at stake.

3. Application to "デジタル格差"

Discussion of "デジタル格差" can be positioned, from the perspective of Bruno Latour's Human and non-human actors, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Indonesia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around デジタル格差 are particularly at stake.

4. Application to "コンテンツ"

Discussion of "コンテンツ" can be positioned, from the perspective of Bruno Latour's Human and non-human actors, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Indonesia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around コンテンツ are particularly at stake.

5. Application to "国連連携"

Discussion of "国連連携" can be positioned, from the perspective of Bruno Latour's Human and non-human actors, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Indonesia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国連連携 are particularly at stake.

Implications for Executives and Practitioners

The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Bruno Latour perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Indonesia.

First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Human and non-human actors. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.

Academic Positioning and Future Research

The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.

1. Verification of the applicability of Bruno Latour's framework to other IGF conferences
2. Comparative contrast between Science and Technology Studies and other theoretical traditions
3. Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Indonesia

In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.

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Primary Sources

• IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Global IGF.
• Global IGF 2013 Bali Conference Materials.
• Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/

Secondary Sources (Philosophy)

• Works of Bruno Latour (representative texts of Science and Technology Studies)

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*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*

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第1稿投稿 2026年10月6日 15時50分（記事コンテンツアップ）

— 中澤祐樹