Comparative analysis of the localization of international cyber security norms: Estonia and Israel

Abstract

This dissertation presents a comparative analysis of the localization of international cybersecurity norms in Estonia and Israel, focusing in particular on the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (2001). The main research question of the dissertation is: what explains the variation of implementation of the norms of the Budapest Convention in the Estonian and Israeli contexts? It is explored through a constructivist approach to norms in International Relations theory and operationalizes a theoretical framework that defines conditions for successful norm localization and outlines a spectrum of norm localization outcomes that can be observed in three dimensions: translation in domestic discourse, translation in law, and translation in implementation. To empirically answer the research question, the thesis applies the Small-N Most Similar System Design (MSSD), a comparative method chosen to isolate the factors that cause the variation in norm localization in the two cases. The analysis itself reveals different trajectories in Estonia and Israel. Estonia mostly shows a pattern of full adoption of the provisions of the Budapest Convention. In contrast, Israel has a clear pattern of reinterpretation. Israel has often selectively modified provisions or maintained reservations based on national priorities, whilst Estonia has adopted the provisions with minor changes. The thesis concludes that while both countries have active norm entrepreneurs and capable investigation units, the main reason for the differences in localization types between Estonia (full adoption) and Israel (reinterpretation) in regards to the Convention is due to differences in domestic legislation. This dissertation over all attempts to contribute to the understanding of the localization of international norms as a complex and uneven process, significantly shaped by domestic legislation not just the presence of supporting actors or implementation capacity. Further research could explore the development of norm entrepreneurs' discourse or extend the comparison to other countries.