Following the methodology outlined by Richard Price, this chapter does not focus on
causal explanations, but emphasizes historical contingencies that reflect ideational
contests and defining moments in international agreements, conferences, and events
concerned with the issue of child pornography. 3 The chapter will employ a genealogical method as a means of understanding how the conception of cooperation as domestic implementation emerged in the international arena concerning the issue area of the
protection of children. It will trace how the discourse of domestic implementation
overshadowed that of dynamic cooperation and thus enabled the practice of filtering.
It examines the role of discourses and power in redefining filtering from an ineffective
tool of state censorship to one of effective cooperation. The following is not a comprehensive history of international efforts to protect children or of Internet filtering but,
following Price, an analysis of events that ‘‘provide discursive moments’’ and reflect
‘‘crucial dimensions.’’ 4 Such an analysis detects the unsuccessful attempts to constitute
cooperation as more than an outcome of bargaining but as a dynamic practice based
on sustained communication and interaction.
Competing Perceptions of Cooperation
An analysis of the texts of key international agreements and conferences focused on
the rights of children highlights a tension between perspectives that view cooperation
as the implementation of domestic laws and procedures by states and those that see it
as constituting the continual practice of interaction and information sharing between
a diverse set of actors. This becomes particularly evident with the rise of new communications technologies and the complex set of problems, including the proliferation of
child pornography, that result. It also reflects a dynamic between state and nonstate
actors that emerged as a result of the prominent role that nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) played in international conferences and agreements concerning the
rights of children.
While given an arguably low priority in international political affairs, children have
constituted an important issue at the international level. 5 Primarily framed in terms of
human rights, children have been singled out for protection in international agreements as far back as the Declaration of Geneva, which was adopted by the League
of Nations in 1924. 6 A more specific emphasis on children followed with the United
Nations’ (UN) Declaration on the Rights of the Child adopted in 1959. This declaration
put forward ten principles that emphasized diverse issues such as the child’s right
to nutrition, education, and nationality. The protection of children from forms of exploitation was also explicitly raised, as was a prohibition on any forms of trafficking in
children. 7 Although these Declarations firmly entrenched the issue of children on the
international agenda they were not legally binding on states and did not ‘‘lay down
precise obligations for states.’’ 8
Barriers to Cooperation
57
causal explanations, but emphasizes historical contingencies that reflect ideational
contests and defining moments in international agreements, conferences, and events
concerned with the issue of child pornography. 3 The chapter will employ a genealogical method as a means of understanding how the conception of cooperation as domestic implementation emerged in the international arena concerning the issue area of the
protection of children. It will trace how the discourse of domestic implementation
overshadowed that of dynamic cooperation and thus enabled the practice of filtering.
It examines the role of discourses and power in redefining filtering from an ineffective
tool of state censorship to one of effective cooperation. The following is not a comprehensive history of international efforts to protect children or of Internet filtering but,
following Price, an analysis of events that ‘‘provide discursive moments’’ and reflect
‘‘crucial dimensions.’’ 4 Such an analysis detects the unsuccessful attempts to constitute
cooperation as more than an outcome of bargaining but as a dynamic practice based
on sustained communication and interaction.
Competing Perceptions of Cooperation
An analysis of the texts of key international agreements and conferences focused on
the rights of children highlights a tension between perspectives that view cooperation
as the implementation of domestic laws and procedures by states and those that see it
as constituting the continual practice of interaction and information sharing between
a diverse set of actors. This becomes particularly evident with the rise of new communications technologies and the complex set of problems, including the proliferation of
child pornography, that result. It also reflects a dynamic between state and nonstate
actors that emerged as a result of the prominent role that nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) played in international conferences and agreements concerning the
rights of children.
While given an arguably low priority in international political affairs, children have
constituted an important issue at the international level. 5 Primarily framed in terms of
human rights, children have been singled out for protection in international agreements as far back as the Declaration of Geneva, which was adopted by the League
of Nations in 1924. 6 A more specific emphasis on children followed with the United
Nations’ (UN) Declaration on the Rights of the Child adopted in 1959. This declaration
put forward ten principles that emphasized diverse issues such as the child’s right
to nutrition, education, and nationality. The protection of children from forms of exploitation was also explicitly raised, as was a prohibition on any forms of trafficking in
children. 7 Although these Declarations firmly entrenched the issue of children on the
international agenda they were not legally binding on states and did not ‘‘lay down
precise obligations for states.’’ 8
Barriers to Cooperation
57