[governance] Letter to Rod Beckstrom

[Milton L Mueller]

Anja:
Excellent points. Quick and relatively superficial answer due to time constraints: we work for the democratization of ICANN, or rather, the recognition of rights by it (the liberal element) and the improvement of representation (the democratic element). I believe that we attack this problem at the sectoral level only - in Internet governance exclusively. Any attempt to replace or eliminate states comprehensively would be precipitous and dangerous for the reasons you cite. I think the info-communications sector can be detached from the nation-state more readily because of its more transnational nature. 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Anja Kovacs [mailto:anja at cis-india.org]
> Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 2:52 PM
> To: governance
> Subject: Re: [governance] Letter to Rod Beckstrom
> 
> 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")
> > plain text document attachment (message-footer.txt)
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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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