Critical Shrinking: The Perils of Opaque and Undefined Critical Infrastructure Policy in American Communications

Abstract

This article analyzes American regulations, legislation, and executive orders that address the matter of critical infrastructure, primarily in communications. The article conducts policy-oriented research into the relevant government documents, plus theoretical research on the framing of geopolitical disputes and the transparency of regulatory actions. This article argues that existing definitions of critical infrastructure are indistinct and tautological, while they perennially get mixed up with national security. The article concludes that a distinct policy definition requires concrete proposals rather than relying on myriad government agencies to announce vague and unworkable definitions or the term.