[governance] How do ICANN's actions hurt the average Internet

[Carlton Samuels]

George:
A well-placed question, indeed. My view:

While ICANN is not the only game with respect to Internet governance, the
fact that it coordinates issues pertaining to Names and Numbers gives it
pride of place in the general consciousness.  The reason is quite prosaic:
most Internet users will interact with the platform by invoking either names
or numbers. So any negative thing that can be remotely attached to a "name
and numbers thing" is automatically at ICANN's door.

Furthermore, you cannot underestimate how the existing operational framework
of ICANN provides a lightning rod for views suspicious - or even impatient -
of the general political agenda that undergirds the unipolar political
world. JPA is seen as a creature of United States control of what has become
public goods. That remains an area of unease and attracts contending
political posturings.

I take a slightly different - and more complex - view to the political
situation. It begins with the fact that ICANN is an American corporation.
Therefore, it comes saddled with the socialization and cultural
sensitivities of an American corporate entity.  This is not a reflexively
bad thing.  But it is decidedly a challenge that must be faced, acknowledged
and mediated.

Carlton Samuels

On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 11:30 AM, George Sadowsky<
george.sadowsky at attglobal.net> wrote:
> All,
> A considerable number of posts on this list seem to indicate that ICANN is
> prominent in many peoples' concerns regarding Internet governance.  I'd
like
> to pose the following question:
>
> "How do ICANN's actions (or inactions) disadvantage or hurt the average
> Internet user, who may have, but probably doesn't have, a domain name
and/or
> a Web site?"
>
> Responses to this question would help to identify possible changes that
> could be made to improve ICANN's responsibility to act in the public
> interest with respect to Internet development.  Specific and succinct
> responses would be most useful to understand your point of view.
> I ask this question because I am mystified by the dissonance between the
> level of negative comment with respect to ICANN and the lack of
specificity
> of the charges brought against the organization with respect to its impact
> on Internet users.
> If you believe that this is the wrong question to ask, why do you think
so,
> and what question would you propose in place of it?  What is your response
> to your proposed question?  Again, specific and succinct responses would
be
> most useful to understand your point of view.
> George Sadowsky
>
>
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