Internapolicity //top\\ Today

Unlike traditional law, which announces general rules and then adjudicates violations, internapolitan policy is often executed directly through code . An algorithm that demotes posts containing certain keywords, throttles connection speeds for specific users, or automatically freezes crypto wallets linked to “suspicious activity” is not merely enforcing a rule—it is the rule. There is no legislative deliberation, no public comment period, and often no appeal.

The author thanks the participants of the 2025 Workshop on Hybrid Governance (LSE) for early feedback on the concept of internapolicity. internapolicity

: Central nervous systems of the city, utilizing high-performance server clusters similar to localized internet exchange points (IXPs). Unlike traditional law, which announces general rules and

Malicious actors can execute remote attacks to cause physical destruction of power grids. The author thanks the participants of the 2025

The traditional Westphalian model of sovereignty, where a single state exerts exclusive policy authority over a defined territory, is increasingly inadequate for describing contemporary governance. This paper introduces the concept of —a portmanteau of internal , policy , and polity —to describe a new mode of regulation where policy is generated internally within non-state entities (e.g., digital platforms, transnational corporations, algorithmic systems) yet produces external, binding effects on physical populations. We argue that Internapolicity manifests through three core mechanisms: algorithmic norm-setting, contractual citizenship, and jurisdictional layering. Using case studies from content moderation (Facebook’s Oversight Board), decentralized finance (DeFi protocols), and smart city infrastructure, this paper demonstrates that Internapolicity is not a failure of state law but a parallel system of co-governance. We conclude by proposing a research agenda for democratic accountability within internapolitan systems.

This paper has three objectives:

[Institutional Affiliation] Date: April 14, 2026