[governance] Letter to Rod Beckstrom

[Anja Kovacs]

Following on from Bertrand's email, I have an additional question,
triggered by the exchange between Milton and Parminder.  

If it is denationalisation that we are striving for, rather than
internationalisation, then what will democratic representation in this
global polity look like, and how will it be achieved? It is fine to say
that new models should not allow for a corporate take-over, but how to
ensure that, especially in a world where the predominance of
corporations goes questioned so little?  Although state representation
is no guarantee that the interests of marginalised people in the South
will be taken into account, no other system of representation has
managed to do a better job at the global level so far, and it remains
tremendously unclear to me how corporates can be entrusted with the
public interest without clear government oversight.  If I am to think
away states, I would like to have an idea of what the alternatives would
look like.  That would also help in getting more of a sense of whether
the path to a democratic global polity might indeed pass through ICANN,
or not.   

Thanks,
Anja


On Sun, 2009-09-20 at 18:34 +0200, Bertrand de La Chapelle wrote:
> Dear Meryem,
> 
> Looking at your interesting exchange with Milton regarding the
> "global" or non global nature of ICANN, I'd like to ask two
> complementary questions : 
> - what would be required in your view to make ICANN truly global ?
> what kind of modification ?
> - and can such an outcome be obtained without participating in ICANN's
> processes, (which brings the risk of legitimizing it, if I understand
> you well) ?
> 
> These questions are not jokes. I think you both touch upon very
> difficult issues that a lot of people are grappling with. I sincerely
> am interested in practical suggestions. The issue of ICANN's
> accountability to all stakeholders will be high on the agenda in the
> post-JPA framework. 
> 
> Best
> 
> Bertrand
> 
>         
>         
>                         The whole point with ICANN in this discussion
>                         is that it is NOT a
>                         "global institution".
>                 
>                 Not sure what you mean here. If its effects are global
>                 and it is institutionalized it is, in my definition, a
>                 global institution. And ICANN more or less meets both
>                 criteria. I am sure you understand that no global
>                 polity will spring perfectly into being.
>         
>         
>         Sure. But my definition is different from yours. I think ICANN
>         is an organization, led and driven by private companies and
>         interests (including multi-nationals), still having to be
>         somewhat accountable to the US gov, but willing to get rid of
>         this. Well, this is quickly written and misses many details
>         and subtleties, but that's to explain why, in my opinion, it
>         doesn't fit any acceptable definition of a global institution.
>         I think your definition is too inclusive here.
>         
>         
>                         rules. Because if you enter it, you back it,
>                         whatever the genuineness
>                         of your intentions and efforts.
>                 
>                 Yes, one does have to make choices. If it's a choice
>                 between the DNS and IP addresses being taken over by
>                 states/IGOs or some modification and evolution of the
>                 ICANN/RIR regime I've made my choice.
>         
>         
>         You fall into this again. I've thought we've gone beyond the
>         ICANN vs. ITU debate?
>         
>         
>         
>         
>         
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> ____________________
> Bertrand de La Chapelle
> Délégué Spécial pour la Société de l'Information / Special Envoy for
> the Information Society
> Ministère des Affaires Etrangères et Européennes/ French Ministry of
> Foreign and European Affairs
> Tel : +33 (0)6 11 88 33 32
> 
> "Le plus beau métier des hommes, c'est d'unir les hommes" Antoine de
> Saint Exupéry
> ("there is no greater mission for humans than uniting humans")
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Dr. Anja Kovacs
Fellow
Centre for Internet and Society
T: +91 80 4092 6283
www.cis-india.org 

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