Subversion, Cyber Operations, and Reverse Structural Power in World Politics

Author(s): Lennart Maschmeyer
Journal Title: European Journal of International Relations
Publisher(s): SAGE Journals
Publication Year: 2022

The Russian-sponsored influence campaign targeting the 2016 US Presidential Elections highlighted a gap in theories of (cyber) power. In this European Journal of International Relations article, CSS’ Lennart Maschmeyer argues that this campaign demonstrated the importance of subversion, a, so far, undertheorized instrument of power. By integrating Intelligence scholarship and International Relations theory, Maschmeyer develops an innovative theory of subversion as reverse structural power. This theory helps explain two unresolved issues in cybersecurity: the capability–vulnerability paradox and the outsize role of non-state actors.

Publisher's Website