{"id":13553,"date":"2011-06-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-06-15T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/igf\/2011\/06\/15\/en-philo-aprigf-2011-singapore-badiou-event\/"},"modified":"2011-06-15T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2011-06-15T01:00:00","slug":"en-philo-aprigf-2011-singapore-badiou-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/igf\/2011\/06\/15\/en-philo-aprigf-2011-singapore-badiou-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Badiouian Event on AprIGF 2011 Singapore \u2014 Event and truth procedure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Set-theoretic Ontology<\/strong> \u2014 most prominently associated with Alain Badiou<\/strong> \u2014 to re-read the AprIGF 2011 Singapore conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Introduction: The Problem<\/h2>\n

For Badiou, an event is the sudden emergence of what was uncounted in the existing situation. When a moment of AprIGF 2011 becomes an "event," it inaugurates a new truth procedure.<\/p>\n

This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of AprIGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Event and truth procedure<\/strong>, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.<\/p>\n

\"Analytical<\/p>\n

IGF as event<\/h2>\n

For discussions at Singapore to transcend mere procedure and be later remembered as "the decisive conference," participants must engage in subjectivation that maintains fidelity to the event. Singapore's mode of subjectivation is one form of this fidelity.<\/p>\n

Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Alain Badiou-type problematic.<\/p>\n

The regional IGF (AprIGF) holds a philosophically distinct position as the intermediate category mediating global universality and national particularity.<\/p>\n

Fidelity and subjectivation<\/h2>\n

Alain Badiou's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2011 conference. We examine that application below.<\/p>\n

1. Application to "\u30e2\u30d0\u30a4\u30eb\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u30e2\u30d0\u30a4\u30eb\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8" can be positioned, from the perspective of Alain Badiou's Event and truth procedure<\/strong>, as a central problematic. In Singapore's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u30e2\u30d0\u30a4\u30eb\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

2. Application to "IPv6"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "IPv6" can be positioned, from the perspective of Alain Badiou's Event and truth procedure<\/strong>, as a derivative problematic. In Singapore's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around IPv6 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

3. Application to "\u30c7\u30b8\u30bf\u30eb\u5305\u6442"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u30c7\u30b8\u30bf\u30eb\u5305\u6442" can be positioned, from the perspective of Alain Badiou's Event and truth procedure<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Singapore's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u30c7\u30b8\u30bf\u30eb\u5305\u6442 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

4. Application to "\u5730\u57df\u5354\u8abf"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u5730\u57df\u5354\u8abf" can be positioned, from the perspective of Alain Badiou's Event and truth procedure<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Singapore's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u5730\u57df\u5354\u8abf are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

5. Application to "\u8d8a\u5883\u30c7\u30fc\u30bf"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u8d8a\u5883\u30c7\u30fc\u30bf" can be positioned, from the perspective of Alain Badiou's Event and truth procedure<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Singapore's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u8d8a\u5883\u30c7\u30fc\u30bf are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

\"Philosophical<\/p>\n

Implications for Executives and Practitioners<\/h2>\n

The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Alain Badiou perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Singapore.<\/p>\n

First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Event and truth procedure<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

Academic Positioning and Future Research<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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  1. Verification of the applicability of Alain Badiou's framework to other IGF conferences<\/li>\n
  2. Comparative contrast between Set-theoretic Ontology<\/strong> and other theoretical traditions<\/li>\n
  3. Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Singapore<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

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    Primary Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n