Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
The Global Constitutionalism and the Internet research group focuses on new legal and institutional approaches to transnational and global governance for a digital society. The group aims at translating widely accepted constitutional principles such as human dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms, democracy and participation, separation of powers and the rule of law into specific institutional arrangements that can claim legitimacy on different political levels.
In view of the increasing need for effective regulation of the internet as a global infrastructure for communication and control – i.e. for regulation beyond the state, not limited to but especially in the areas of the environment, security and trade – the group is seeking new approaches to the legal construction of processes and institutions in which human rights and democratic legitimation form the basis for a normative framework for the various forms of governance.
Global constitutionalism is to be understood as a normative theory that places the individual, not state structures, at its centre and sees generally accepted constitutional principles such as human dignity, freedom and equality rights, democracy and participation, the separation of powers and the rule of law as inviolable values in the increasingly dense world of politics. Relations between people at the global level and the legal framework will be explored. The aim is to “translate” these principles into democratic legitimised decision-making processes at the various political levels. The internet could play a significant role in this. This potential needs to be explored – but so do the risks associated with the use of information technologies – in order to understand the necessary normative consequences.
Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
In the Global Constitutionalism and the Internet research group, we investigate how technologies contribute to the formation of norms beyond the state and deal with the question of how these processes can be reconstructed from the perspective of constitutionalism theories. We address questions from the fields of data protection, cyber security and public administration that extend beyond their application cases from a both a transdisciplinary and a legal point of view. We focus in particular on the following questions:
 | The individualCan we think of different orders from the individual? What shifts result if we focus on the individual in the governance of the Internet or the reform of administration? |
 | Global negotiation processHow are the new global orders that will shape life in the world being negotiated? How does unity and diversity emerge in areas such as data protection or IT and cyber security? |
 | Digital constitutionWhat does a constitution mean in a “digital constellation”? What are the principles behind digital technologies such as the Internet? |
Further research programmes
Society & culture · Media & data · Politics & lawPlatform://Democracy
The project "Platform://Democracy" examines how the rules of discourse on platforms can be aligned with public values.
Politics & law · Society & cultureCybersecurity
The project explores the important, both mutually beneficial and conflict-prone relationship between cybersecurity and privacy. It also aims to find common ground for regulating...
Politics & lawThe Public International Law of the Internet
The research project "The Public International Law of the Internet" at HIIG aims at redefining the relationship between human rights law and the internet.
Media & data · Politics & lawGlobal Privacy Governance
This project aims to better understand processes of global negotiations, problem framing, regulation and enforcement in this field, both empirically and conceptually.
DECiDe – Digital Identity, European Citizenship and the Future of Democracy
We developed a prototype for e-voting and e-polling based upon digital identity and Random-Sample Voting. The project was one of the winning projects by...
Politics & law · Society & cultureDigital Civil Disobedience
The political phenomenon of civil disobedience has undergone a remarkable change in recent times, with the expression electronic civil disobedience coming into being in...
Politics & law · Society & cultureThe Digital Administrative State
Our research contributes to this debate by investigating the relationship between the Internet and public institutions as well as their modes of action (public...
Politics & law · Society & cultureKORSE @ HIIG – the Internet and civil security in Europe
The emergence of cyberspace has challenged the law of civil security in Europe. Today, nearly all aspects of life have a digital dimension and...
Ingolf Pernice, Prof. Dr. Dr.Former HIIG Founder and Research Director (retd)
Jörg Pohle, Dr.Head of Research Program: Actors, Data and Infrastructures
Josefa FranckeAssociated Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
Matthias C. Kettemann, Prof. Dr. LL.M. (Harvard)Head of Research Group and Associate Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
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Adrian Haase, Dr.Former Associate Doctoral Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Alfred Früh, Dr.Former Visiting Researcher: Data, actors, infrastructures -
Benjamin LückFormer Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Christian Djeffal, Prof. Dr.Former Associated Researcher | Project Leader -
Christian MarksFormer Student Assistant: Global constitutionalism and Internet -
Edoardo Celeste, Prof. Dr.Former Fellow: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Eduardo Magrani, Prof. Dr.Former Fellow: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Emma PetersFormer Associated Researcher: Data, actors, infrastructures -
Gaby WaltonIntern: The evolving digital society
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Hanna SodittFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Hannfried Leisterer, Dr.Former associate doctoral Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Henrike Maier, Dr.Former associated Researcher: Innovation & Entrepreneurship -
Jana LeusingStudent Assistent: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Julian HölzelAssociate Researcher: Data, actors, infrastructures -
Kai von Lewinski, PD Dr.Former Associate Researcher -
Karoline BialasFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
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Konstantinos TsakiliotisFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Leonie Maria TanczerFormer Fellow: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Luis OalaFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and Internet
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Maria RothämelFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Marie-Christine DähnFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
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Marie-Luise WeckerlingFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Matthias SpielkampFormer Visiting Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Nina ShengeliaFormer Fellow: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Osvaldo Saldías, Dr.Former Associate Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Paula KiftFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Robert RiemannFormer Visiting Researcher: Global constitutionalism and the Internet
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Rüdiger SchwarzAssociated Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Sebastian Leuschner, Dr.Former Associate Doctoral Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Sebastian SchwemerFormer Fellow: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet -
Theresa BehrendtFormer Student Assistant: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
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Ulrike Höppner, Dr.Former Researcher: Global Privacy Governance Project
Books
Pohle, J. (2018). Datenschutz und Technikgestaltung: Geschichte und Theorie des Datenschutzes aus informatischer Sicht und Folgerungen für die Technikgestaltung. Berlin, Germany: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. DOI: 10.18452/19136 Publication details
Journal articles and conference proceedings
Henningsen, S., Florian, M., Rust, S. & Scheuermann, B. (2020). Mapping the Interplanetary Filesystem. IFIP Networking 2020. Publication details
Pernice, I. (2018). Risk Management in the Digital Constellation – A Constitutional Perspective (part II). Revista de Internet, Derecho y Política (IDP)(27), 79-95. Publication details
Djeffal, C. (2018). Künstliche Intelligenz in der Öffentlichen Verwaltung. Berichte des Nationalen E-Government Kompetenzzentrums, 3. Publication details
Edited works
Kettemann, M. C. (ed.) (2022). How Platforms Respond to Human Rights Conflicts Online. Best Practices in Weighing Rights and Obligations in Hybrid Online Orders. Hamburg, Germany: Verlag Hans-Bredow-Institut. Publication details
Kettemann, M. C., & Lachmayer, K. (2021). Pandemocracy in Europe. Power, Parliaments and People in Times of COVID-19. Oxford, UK: Hart Publishing. Publication details
Pernice, I., & Pohle, J. (2018). Privacy and Cyber Security on the Books and on the Ground. Berlin, Germany: Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society. Publication details
Papadopoulou, L., Pernice, I., & Weiler, J. H. H. (Eds.) (2018). Legitimacy Issues of the European Union in the Face of Crisis: Dimitris Tsatsos in memoriam, 2. edition., 2. unedited Baden-Baden: Nomos. Publication details
Papadopoulou, L., Pernice, I., & Weiler, J. H. H. (Eds.) (2017). Legitimacy Issues of the European Union in the Face of Crisis: Dimitris Tsatsos in memoriam. Baden-Baden: Nomos. Publication details
Pohle, J. & Knaut, A. (2014). Fundationes I: Geschichte und Theorie des Datenschutzes. Münster: Verlag Monsenstein und Vannerdat. Publication details
Book contributions and chapters
Pohle, J. (2016). Die kategoriale Trennung zwischen ‘öffentlich’ und ‘privat’ ist durch die Digitalisierung aller Lebensbereiche überholt: Über einen bislang ignorierten Paradigmenwechsel in der Datenschutzdebatte. In Plöse, M., Fritsche, T., Kuhn, M., & Lüders, S. (Eds.), Worüber reden wir eigentlich? – Festgabe für Rosemarie Will (pp. 612-625). Berlin: Humanistische Union. Publication details
Pernice, I. (2015). Das Völkerrecht des Netzes. Konstitutionelle Elemente eines globalen Rechtsrahmens für das Internet. In Biaggini, G., Diggelmann, O., & Kaufmann, C. (Ed), Polis und Kosmopolis: Festschrift für Daniel Thürer. Zürich/St. Gallen, Switzerland: DIKE/ Nomos. Publication details
Pernice, I. (2014). Die Verfassung der Internetgesellschaft. In A. Blankenagel, Den Verfassungsstaat nachdenken (pp. 171-208). Berlin: Duncker & Humblot. Publication details
Pernice, I. (2013). Die Politik und die Internet-Gesellschaft. In Franzius, C. et al (Eds.), Beharren. Bewegen. Festschrift für Michael Kloepfer zum 70. Geburtstag (pp. 102-118). Berlin: Duncker & Humblot. Publication details
Other publications
Lectures and presentations
Parlamente für die Plattformen? Die Grenzen digitale Selbstbestimmung auf digitalen DienstenITeG Ringvorlesung 2022/2023: Digitale Gesellschaft - Soziotechnische Gestaltung digitaler Selbstbestimmung (Session: Parlamente für die Plattformen? Die Grenzen digitale Selbstbestimmung auf digitalen Diensten). Wissenschaftliche Zentrum für Informationstechnikgestaltung (ITeG) der Universität Kassel, Kassel, Germany: 21.12.2022 Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Regulation of AI: One Approach to Rule them All?Ethics X AI. German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce and Embassy of Germany, Helsinki, Finland: 13.05.2022 Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Digital rights of the futureSafeguarding human rights online for future generations. 60th Commission on Social Development 2022. UN Youth Delegates from Austria, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Peru, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United States of America, New York, USA: 17.02.2022
Matthias C. Kettemann
Strategien globaler Cyber(sicherheits-)Politik – ein transatlantischer VergleichRecht und Sicherheit im digitalen Raum – wer macht was im föderalen System? (Session: Außenperspektiven). Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Villa la Collina, Griante, Italy: 22.08.2019
Ingolf Pernice
Strategien globaler Cyber(sicherheits-)Politik – ein transatlantischer VergleichRecht und Sicherheit im digitalen Raum – wer macht was im föderalen System?. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Villa la Collina, Cadenabbia, Italy: 21.08.2019
Ingolf Pernice
Future of Law and GovernmentFuture of Law (Session: Sustainable AI Development). Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany: 29.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Künstliche Intelligenz und Automatisierung in der Sozialverwaltung – Chance oder Risiko?Tag der kommunalen Jobcenter 2018 (Session: Herausforderungen meistern – Digitalisierung voranbringen). Benchlearning der Optionskommunen. Ellington Hotel, Berlin, Germany: 26.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Überholt die Technik das Recht oder lässt sich die Digitalisierung der Verwaltung rechtlich einhegen?Jahrestagung 2018 der Deutschen Sektion des Internationalen Instituts für Verwaltungswissenschaften (Session: Die Verwaltung und ihr Recht). Deutsche Sektion des Internationalen Instituts für Verwaltungswissenschaften. Bundesverwaltungsgericht, Leipzig, Germany: 23.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Gute künstliche Intelligenz gestaltenCitrix Technology Exchange (Session: Vision Track). Citrix. World Conference Center, Bonn, Germany: 19.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Technik in Grenzen? Welche Rahmenbedingungen müssten wir setzen, damit aus KI „gute“ KI wird?Herbsttagung (Session: Künstliche Intelligenz). Think Tank 30 Deutschland. Humboldt Universität, Berlin, Germany: 17.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Mehr Menschlichkeit durch künstliche Intelligenz?E-Government Summit. Vogel-IT. Wartburg, Eisenach, Deutschland: 15.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Risk Management in the Digital Society - A Constitutional PerspectiveManaging risk in the digital society: Internet, Law & Politics (Session: Panel on Privacy & Data Protection). Law and Political Science Studies - Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Cosmocaixa, Barcelona, Spain: 30.06.2017
Ingolf Pernice
Panels
Article 12 of the Digital Services Act: Terms and Conditions and Fundamental Rights´Article 12 of the Digital Services Act: Terms and Conditions and Fundamental Rights. Universiteit van Amsterdam / European Commission. IVIR, Amsterdam, Netherlands: 25.02.2022
Matthias C. Kettemann
5G, IoT and AI - Addressing Digital Inclusion and AccessibilityInternet Governance Forum 2018. Internet Governance Forum of the United Nations. UNESCO Headquaters, Paris, Frankreich: 14.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Streitgespräch zum Für und Wider von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) und ihrem Einsatz in der EntwicklungszusammenarbeitDigital Kontrovers. Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Repräsentanz der GIZ, Berlin, Germany: 12.11.2018 Further information
Christian Djeffal
Organisation of events
Globalizing the European Media Order: The Brussels Effect in Times of CrisisInsights and Power: Internet Scientists meet Platform Decision-Makers. with attending Vip: Wolfgang Schulz. 07.04.2022. Humboldt Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft, Berlin, Germany. Co-Organised by: Leibniz Institute for Media Research I Hans-Bredow-Institute (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Great Expectations: What Research Expects from Platforms and Platforms from Research (High-Level Talk Insights and Power with Susan Wojcicki, CEO YouTube)Insights and Power: Internet Scientists meet Platform Decision-Makers. 10.02.2022. TIDE Hamburg YouTube channel, Hamburg, Germany. Co-Organised by: Leibniz Institute for Media Research I Hans-Bredow-Institute (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann, Wolfgang Schulz
Innsbrucker Theoriekolloquium. Positionen zur Rechtstheorie als kritische PraxisFrom 25.11.2021 to 02.06.2022. Online, Innsbruck, Austria. Co-Organised by: Hans-Bredow-Institut, Junges Forum Technikwissenschaften, Network of Internet and Society Research Centres (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Hosting VisionariesFrom 05.11.2021 to 30.11.2021. Online, Hamburg, Germany. Co-Organised by: Hans-Bredow-Institut (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Innsbrucker Zukunftsgespräche. Innovation, Nachhaltigkeit und VerantwortungFrom 21.10.2021 to 23.06.2022. Online, Innsbruck, Austria. Co-Organised by: Hans-Bredow-Institut, Junges Forum Technikwissenschaften, Network of Internet and Society Research Centres (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Innsbrucker DigitaldialogFrom 14.10.2021 to 09.06.2022. Online, Innsbruck, Austria. Co-Organised by: Hans-Bredow-Institut, Junges Forum Technikwissenschaften, Network of Internet and Society Research Centres (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Digital Rights in Context. Global Digital Human Rights Network Highlights Lecture SeriesFrom 04.05.2021 to 25.01.2022. Online, Hamburg, Innsbruck, Tallinn, Germany, Estonia. Co-Organised by: Mart Susi (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Courts of the Future - The Future of CourtsFrom 22.04.2021 to 15.07.2021. Online, Hamburg, Germany. Co-Organised by: Hans-Bredow-Institut, Baffi Carefin Center der Universität Bocconi (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Digital Ideas Lunch Series: Law in the Algorithmic SocietyFrom 03.03.2021 to 26.05.2021. Online, Online, Online. Co-Organised by: Humboldt Universität Berlin, University of Amsterdam, King's College London, Network of Internet and Society Research (International) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Völkerrechtslunch. Your Career in International LawFrom 11.01.2021 to 17.05.2021. Online, Online, Online. Co-Organised by: MPIL Heidelberg, HBI, Völkerrechtsblog (National) Further information
Matthias C. Kettemann
Fake News, Online disinformation and democratic processes in Europe11.01.2019. Alexander von Humboldt Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft, Berlin, Germany. Co-Organised by: Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE) (International) Further information
Jacek Wiland, Konstantinos Tsakiliotis, Kai Gärtner, Ingolf Pernice
Völkerrecht des Netzes08.09.2014. Walter-Hallstein Institut, Berlin, Germany. Co-Organised by: Office of Foreign Affairs (National)
Emma Peters, Adrian Haase, Osvaldo Saldías, Ingolf Pernice