Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Between Law and Algorithm: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Legitimacy Narratives in the EU–Musk Platform Struggle

Anggriawan, Aldy LU (2025) SOLM02 20251
Department of Sociology of Law
Abstract
This thesis investigates the changing debate over legitimacy in digital platform governance using the well-publicized case of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter (rebranded as X) and the European Union's reaction via the Digital Services Act (DSA), public statements and enforcement efforts. The question of who rules digital platforms, and how, has become critical as they progressively impact public debate. Using Michel Foucault's concepts of power/knowledge, truth regimes, and governmentality as well as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this thesis examines policy texts, platform statements, and public rhetoric to expose how government is executed through language, infrastructure, and symbolic authority. According to the findings of this... (More)
This thesis investigates the changing debate over legitimacy in digital platform governance using the well-publicized case of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter (rebranded as X) and the European Union's reaction via the Digital Services Act (DSA), public statements and enforcement efforts. The question of who rules digital platforms, and how, has become critical as they progressively impact public debate. Using Michel Foucault's concepts of power/knowledge, truth regimes, and governmentality as well as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this thesis examines policy texts, platform statements, and public rhetoric to expose how government is executed through language, infrastructure, and symbolic authority. According to the findings of this thesis, Musk supports a customized, market-driven governance model while the EU presents control as civic protection anchored in law. These conflicting stories reveal a broader debate over digital ownership and democratic responsibility in algorithmic settings. Through demonstrating how legal power today is co-constructed and challenged by platform discourse and design, the thesis adds to field of the sociology of law. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Anggriawan, Aldy LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOLM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
platform sovereignty, Critical Discourse Analysis, governmentality, truth regimes, Digital Services Act, digital governance
language
English
id
9194061
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 09:26:59
date last changed
2025-06-23 09:26:59
@misc{9194061,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the changing debate over legitimacy in digital platform governance using the well-publicized case of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter (rebranded as X) and the European Union's reaction via the Digital Services Act (DSA), public statements and enforcement efforts. The question of who rules digital platforms, and how, has become critical as they progressively impact public debate. Using Michel Foucault's concepts of power/knowledge, truth regimes, and governmentality as well as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this thesis examines policy texts, platform statements, and public rhetoric to expose how government is executed through language, infrastructure, and symbolic authority. According to the findings of this thesis, Musk supports a customized, market-driven governance model while the EU presents control as civic protection anchored in law. These conflicting stories reveal a broader debate over digital ownership and democratic responsibility in algorithmic settings. Through demonstrating how legal power today is co-constructed and challenged by platform discourse and design, the thesis adds to field of the sociology of law.}},
  author       = {{Anggriawan, Aldy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Between Law and Algorithm: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Legitimacy Narratives in the EU–Musk Platform Struggle}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}