...on the Internet, the code is the law.
-- Lawrence Lessig, Stanford Law School professor
Hacktivism is the writing of code, or otherwise manipulating bits, to promote political ideology. Taking Lessig's message to heart, hacktivism believes that proper use of code will have leveraged effects similar to regular activism (or civil disobedience). Fewer people can write code, but code affects more people.
Freenet is a prime example of translating political thought (anyone should be able to speak) into code.
See also: Electronic civil disobedience
External Link
Hacktivism in the Culture Jammers Encyclopedia
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