Tripolaridade cibernética: a evolução do ciberpoder de EUA, China e Rússia

Abstract

This article analyzes the strategic use of cyberspace by states as an instrument of power in the international arena, highlighting the growing importance of digital technologies in global politics. The research begins with a conceptual distinction between cyberspace and the internet, reflecting on the influence of technological transformations on the reorganization of power. Using a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, and bibliographic approach, the study analyzes primary and secondary sources, with emphasis on the Cyber Power Index developed by the Belfer Center (Harvard). The analysis considers the impact of hard power, soft power, and smart power— concepts developed by Joseph Nye—within the cyber context. It is observed that cyberspace has unique characteristics, such as accessibility, low entry costs, and a multiplicity of actors, making it a favorable environment for influence disputes. Data show that despite the multipolar nature of the digital landscape, the United States, China, and Russia stand out as the three main cyber powers, suggesting a possible tripolar reconfiguration of the international system. It is concluded that cyber power is a determining factor in the current geopolitical dynamics, reflecting the centrality of digital technologies in the power relations among states.