Seminal work by LawrenceLessig describing four primary influences over CyberSpace: Law, Market (commerce), Norms (society), and Architecture (code, technology). ISBN 0-465-03912-X.
The basic premise is that any system is governed by multiple influences. Lessig identifies four factors.
- Law pertains to the legal code
- Market applies to commercial pressures and interests.
- Norms are social and cultural pressures on behavior.
- Architecture is the technical and design parameters of a system.
Each factor influences and is influenced by the others. Lessig sees code (technology) as a very strong inhibiting influence on the unfettered power of the market or law.
The book covers a wide range of topics within this area, from anarchy (using post-Soviet Russia as an example), anonymity, pseudonymity, privacy, and free speech.
Very highly recommended. Required reading, in fact.
Lessig is working on an updated version of the book, and is using a JotSpot wiki as an experiment in online collaboration: http://codebook.jot.com/WikiHome