[Abstract] Drafters: Milton MuellerConcurring: Derrick Cogburn, John Mathiason, Jeanette Hofmann As a contribution to the 2007 UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), IGP has released a new paper showing how network neutrality can serve as a globally applicable principle that can guide Internet governance. The paper defines network neutrality as the...
[Abstract] Drafters: Brenden Kuerbis, Milton MuellerManagement of the Domain Name System (DNS) root zone file is a uniquely global policy problem. For the Internet to connect everyone, the root must be coordinated and compatible. While authority over the legacy root zone file has been contentious and divisive at times, everyone...
[Abstract] Drafter: Milton MuellerConcurring: John Mathiason, Jeanette Hofmann, Lee McKnight, Derrick Cogburn, Hans Klein The backers of the controversial .xxx domain have negotiated a new contract with ICANN. Although final approval of the contract is still vehemently opposed by an amusing alliance of anti-pornography conservatives and pornographers with investments in...
[Abstract] Drafters: John MathiasonConcurring: Milton Mueller, Jeanette Hofmann, Lee McKnight, Derrick Cogburn Over a thousand people are heading to Athens, Greece for the first meeting of the UN-sponsored Internet Governance Forum. Many of them are still fielding doubts or worries about what the outcome of this new multi-stakeholder institution is...
[Abstract] Internet Governance ProjectThe essence of our comments can be summarized as follows: The transition of DNS administration envisioned by the White Paper has gotten stuck somewhere in the middle of the process. This halfway house is an unstable and undesirable place. We urge the U.S. Commerce Department to complete...
[Abstract] Author: John MathiasonJohn Mathiason examines the international relations theory underlying the book and likens it to Episode 2 of Star Wars: "The Realists Strike Back."Suggested citation: John Mathiason, "Internet Governance Wars, Episode II: the Realists Strike Back: A review of Goldsmith and Wu's 'Who Controls the Internet? Illusions of a...
[Abstract] Author: Milton MuellerMilton Mueller assails the "premature triumphalism of the territorial nation state" evident in the book and claims, "If the internet was a revolutionary force...this book risks being a manifesto for counterrevolution."Suggested citation: Milton Mueller, "The New Cyber-Conservatism: Goldsmith/Wu and the Premature Triumphalism of the Territorial Nation-State: A review...
[Abstract] Author: John MathiasonInternational policy discussions are heavily dependent on the substantive preparatory activities of a Secretariat. IGP has prepared a paper outlining a new way for the Internet Governance Forum to meet the need for a substantive Secretariat. It proposes to create a "distributed Secretariat" wherein the Forum delegates...
[Abstract] Drafters: Milton Mueller, John MathiasonSignatories: Jeanette Hofmann, Lee McKnight, Derrick Cogburn, Hans Klein The United Nations is building a new platform for the discussion of global Internet policy. Public consultations on this new "Internet Governance Forum" will be held in Geneva February 16-17. IGP has released a new discussion...
[Abstract] Author: Hans KleinDebates over Internet governance can be clarified by the recognition that ICANN is a regulatory agency. Its responsibilities for setting base prices, protecting trademarks, and controlling market entry are typical of a regulatory agency. Principles for good governance of regulatory agencies exist and should be applied to...
“In characteristically rigorous fashion, Mueller’s outstanding book punctures the alarmist myth of Internet fragmentation and helps us to understand what is really at stake as nations and other groups vie for power over the Internet.”
