the internet without laws?!: An analysis of debates on policy in Germany 2010

Using qualitative content analysis, this thesis conducts an exploratory study to examine which internet policy issues were discussed by the German public in 2010 and which forms of internet regulation played a role in these discussions. To this end, it applies a political science perspective on governance, seeking to identify both parliamentary actors in German politics and the influence of non-state actors. In addition to political decision-making processes, the study takes into account specific extra-parliamentary measures aimed at regulating the internet. This enables an analysis of patterns of action and trends in German internet policy. This study conducts this analysis using one media outlet as a case study - Spiegel Online. However, it does not explicitly address either the significance of the internet for the formation of political opinion or its importance for democracy in general and in Germany in particular.