Internet Governance in Transition: Who Is the Master of This Domain?

by Daniel J. Paré

Overview

Who controls the Internet and on what basis does that authority rest? While this network of information seems to be the world's property, a multitude of controversies has erupted at international, national, regional, and local levels over the appropriate forms of governance for the Internet and its applications. Internet Governance in Transition examines the historical, sociological, and political consequences of attempts to reconfigure the management and administration of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS). This comprehensive look at the politics of internetworking is especially timely as various interests are increasingly questioning the authority and legitimacy of the U.S.-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). By analyzing how power relations and politicking have shaped the policies and institutions that oversee Internet addressing, Paré provides an empirical basis for critically evaluating much of the contemporary theorizing about the Internet and its governance. Though this comprehensive look at Internet politics is particularly relevant to the fields of communications, sociology, science and technology studies, and political science, all Internet users will find this book a useful tool for understanding the nature of regulation in the electronic realm.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742518469
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/24/2002
Series:	Critical Media Studies: Institutions, Politics, and Culture
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.62(w) x 9.08(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

Daniel J. Paré is a research fellow at the London School of Economics and researcher at University of Sussex in science and technology policy.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Fomenting Dissent: A Brief History of the Domain Name Wars Chapter 3 Internet Governance: Don't Believe the Hype Chapter 4 Transformation of the UK Domain Naming Regime Chapter 5 Internet Addressing: A UK Perspective Chapter 6 The Politics of Internet Governance Chapter 7 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Paré has clearly mastered his subject matter. Internet Governance in Transition leaves little question as to why the administration of Internet domain names has become the pivotal battle for control over cyberspace.....

Greg Elmer