Equality of membership is a universal tenet of democracy. In Peer-to-peer networking (P2P) we find a model for the implementation of this principle. It inspires a sense of equality among millions of users, and thus has the potential to aid in transforming the political and economic structure of societies worldwide (Bauwens, 2005). It also helps its users to emerge from the sway of the large corporations that strive to monopolize the supply end of the online market. While P2P is sometimes accused of violating copyrights, it will be argued here that this is a surmountable issue, and that P2P can benefit creators, the online community, and also the global village.
P2P started as networks of computers linked by cables in the workspaces of businesses, and expanded to interactions between millions connected by the internet. In order to be part of a P2P exchange each peer needs to use the same networking program, like FrostWire. Alternatively one can use a protocol, such as BitTorrent, which allows for file sharing among peers without each needing to download a program. Instead the peers download a file extension that allows them to access a single program to be used for both uploading and downloading at the same time. This process has spawned a miniature culture within the network which compels its members to be mindful of and outspoken about the need to reciprocate (Pouwelse, Garbacki, Epema, Sips, 2009). The use of such programs and protocols could help to cultivate in us a better sense of responsibility towards one another as citizens (Uricchio, 2004).
Questions arise though as to whether some forms of peer to peer networking are ethical because certain of them, such as The Pirate Bay, offer without charge the intellectual property of artists or software designers. While creative output should always be the property of the individuals who created it, it should however not be a commodity that corporations can acquire and market. Creators should of course be compensated for their work, but it can be argued that such exposure as that provided by file sharing sites is free advertising that indirectly generates capital (Coelho, 2009). But if intellectual property owners require direct payment, they could be compensated through advertising revenue in the same manner that artists are remunerated by the radio and television industries.
P2P has inspired political movements such as the P2P Foundation and the Pirate Party.
The basic principle of the P2P Foundation is that if every home worldwide had a computer with an internet connection, everyone could potentially communicate and share files with everyone else. Such a scenario could inspire every member of the population with the sense of equal membership (Bauwens, 2005).
P2P networking could be a powerful tool for the advancement and maintenance of democracy. It is also an equalizing element that can potentially emancipate users from their dependence upon the one-sided and often expensive server to client based downloading monopoly. The spirit of democracy is alive and well online in the use of Peer-to-peer networking.
Citations:
Bauwens, M. 2007. P2P politics, the state, and the renewal of the emancipatory traditions. Re-public. URL: http://www.re-public.gr/en/?p=133
Bauwens, M. 2005. Manifesto: Peer to Peer and Human Evolution. Wiki Commons. URL: http://p2pfoundation.net/Manifesto
Coelho, P. 2009. Paul Coelho’s Blog. From Pirate Coelho Central. URL : http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/04/13/from-pirate-coelho-central/
Pouwelse, J., P. Garbacki, D. Epema, H. Sips. 2008. Pirates and Samaritans: A decade of measurements on peer production and their implications for net neutrality and copyright. Telecommunications Policy Journal, 32(11): 701-712
Uricchio, W. 2004. Beyond the Great Divide: collaborative networks and the challenge to dominant conceptions of creative industries. The International Journal of Cultural Studies, 7(1): 79-90.
