The Matrix of Law: From Paper, to Word Processing, to Wiki

Lex Electronica, vol. 19, no. 1 (2014)

23 Pages Posted: 22 Dec 2014 Last revised: 28 Oct 2015

See all articles by Florian Martin-Bariteau

Florian Martin-Bariteau

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society; University of Ottawa - Common Law Section; University of Ottawa - Centre for Law, Technology and Society

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

Fifteen years ago, François Ost proposed a conceptual framework, known as the “word processing” model, to analyse and understand the evolution of law-making since the advent of the Information Society. This paper presents and discusses the accuracy of this model in the current context. Sketching out regulation as the new underlying logic of postmodern societies’ legal framework and networked law, the paper also draws attention to the phenomenon known as regulatory marketing. Arguing that law is now “in transit” and that the coherence of legal frameworks has been lost, the paper proposes to update François Ost’s word processing model to that of the Wiki, a utopic new paradigm to understand and produce law in the 21st century society.

Keywords: Legal Theory, Law & Technology, Networked Law, Information Society

Suggested Citation

Martin-Bariteau, Florian, The Matrix of Law: From Paper, to Word Processing, to Wiki (2014). Lex Electronica, vol. 19, no. 1 (2014), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2394335

Florian Martin-Bariteau (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://f-mb.org

University of Ottawa - Centre for Law, Technology and Society ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Canada

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