[governance] Inputs for synthesis paper

[Milton L Mueller]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Parminder [mailto:parminder at itforchange.net]
> On another note, the language of rights is often used to develop
> alternative conceptions to state centered notions of development, 
> security, culture etc
> to move toward a more people-centric one. 

Interesting response, P. 

> The problem with global Internet
> policy making is that it is not desirable to leave it to state-centric
> notions. The alternative is that we propose a people-centric one which
is
> built on people's rights vis a vis the Internet. This is what we are
> trying to do, and, accordingly, this debate is not an idle one.

Agreed. But my main objection to your rights language, especially in the
context of the UN system, is that it drags us into the muck of
state-centric positive rights, based on a view of the UN system as a
gigantic social welfarist regime that can somehow deliver anything and
everything to anyone who demands it. The gap between that conception and
reality of the UN system of course is unbearable. 

> (3) We can try alternative political frameworks. My view is that such
a
> framework needs to be based on, and built over, a strong conception of
> human rights in the new Internet era. However, restrictive definitions
> that serve those who are at present politically dominant will neither
be 

To me, "people-centered" means individual rights because the individual
is the one constant across nations, cultures, etc. I don't think
concepts of basic, narrow but fundamental rights "serve those who are at
present politically dominant" -- else why would states from Russia to
the US be so eagerly and with impunity violating them? 

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