Hu Wenlong: Controlling the Internet Is New Means for Maintaining US Hegemony

Recently, the U.S. has been setting itself on fire regarding Internet security against China. From all aspects, the author deems controlling the Internet to be a new means of maintaining U.S. hegemony.

Over time, the U.S. has maintained its hegemonic status and tried to promote its values as well as establish a new U.S.-led world order based on a world financial system supported by U.S. dollars, a World Trade Organization-led economic system and a NATO-led security system. However, because of various reasons, particularly with peace and development becoming a global trend, the U.S. can no longer boss everyone around, doing whatever it feels like through control of the three systems. Its economic downturn and the rise of new powers make it particularly difficult for the U.S. to get its way.

Under this strategic backdrop, finding innovative, feasible and effective means for ruling the world has become the focus of U.S. strategy. Strengthening Internet security becomes the best means then. While the U.S. owns unique strategic advantages in this field, other countries are also faced with this inevitable task. If in the past whoever controlled the sea controlled the world, then it would not be an overstatement to say that whoever controls the Internet controls the world in the future.

America is the only master of the Internet and is richly endowed with advantages in terms of Internet resources. Playing the Internet security card and targeting Internet security would bring it multifaceted strategic advantages and benefits without having to put up a fight. In the age of information, the Internet has become the base for the production and everyday life in the information society. Social production, transference and flow of goods and money, finance and trade, administration and even communication between cultures cannot be achieved without the help of the Internet. The Internet has made its way across the globe and even outer space, which present an unlimited picture.

Playing the Internet card and targeting Internet security would benefit the U.S. in several ways.

First is the right to have a say in the matter. The Internet is like a ship, built by the owner, the U.S.; other countries are just passengers who have to abide by the owner’s rules.

A second benefit is the right to manage the Internet. Since we are all in the same boat, it is detrimental to both the owner and passengers if the ship experiences any damage. Therefore, maintaining group security is in accordance with the will of the people. Whoever raises an objection will incite anger in the crowd, therefore losing popular support.

The third aspect is the right to monitor. In order to ensure the safety of the ship, it is imperative to enhance surveillance on illegal passenger behaviors. Only the owner can implement oversight, and the passengers must comply. According to this rule, the U.S. can investigate, spy and keep watch on and fight against Internet crime with absolute freedom.

The fourth is the right to punish the criminals. As the owner, the U.S. would have already formulated the criteria for punishment, which would treat attacks by other countries as acts of war and warrant retaliation through military means.

The fifth is the right to exert a cultural influence. Under circumstances in which the U.S. leads, manages and monopolizes technology, it can export its culture via the Internet, enter other societies and conduct clandestine activities to achieve its goals. By then, the repetition of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, and of the history of West Asia and Northern Africa would no longer be just a dream.

The last is the right to recreate the Internet. Once other countries are forced to accept the will and rules of the U.S. and sign the multilateral treaty for the maintenance of Internet security, they might unconsciously give up and lose the opportunity to recreate the global Internet. There would be only one Internet in the world, the only ship made by the U.S., a scenario most welcome by the U.S. Under such a circumstance, other countries would be destined to be the passengers and accept U.S. control.

Therefore, choosing to strengthen Internet security is the optimal policy for the U.S. to maintain its hegemony.