Rapid development of information and communication technology has led to the emergence of cyberspace – a global network for the exchange of digital information enabled by the Internet. Characterised by de-territoriality, instant connectivity, and diversity of actors, it has sparked debate among states about the validity of sovereignty as a fundamental concept in international relations and law. States interpret sovereignty in cyberspace as the exclusive authority of the state, an international rule, or a guiding principle. This master’s thesis applies the conceptual model of alignment strategy to situate the contradiction between the exclusive nature of sovereignty and the unrestricted interconnectedness of the Internet’s core architecture within International Relations. The aim is to explore state perceptions of sovereignty in cyberspace by employing the norm of the protection of the public core of the Internet as an indicator. Drawing on the constructivist concept of the norm life cycle, this norm is examined as a case study based on qualitative textual analysis of official statements from the People's Republic of China (PRC), the Netherlands, and the United States (US) between 2015 and 2024, each representing distinct interpretations of sovereignty. I find that the norm has not yet reached the tipping point or entered the cascade phase. All three states seek to maintain control over cyberspace in line with their specific interpretations of sovereignty. The Netherlands acts as a norm entrepreneur, the US remains cautious toward the norm, the PRC contests the norm while advancing its concept of cyber sovereignty, aiming to reform cyberspace governance.
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