Internet governance: towards a non-representational democracy

Byline: Martin Hans Knahl, Geoff Cox Internet governance is a contentious topic referring to the global control and management of key internet resources such as IP addresses. Research suggests that the existence of an open market, transparency and competition are having a major impact on internet governance. Key players such as the ICANN are currently in the process of formulating the scope and agenda of future internet governance. Research suggests that institutional as well as market driven governance will remain present for network access and content. Additionally, network governance is increasingly configured in new ways that relate to the topography of distributed systems. The suggestion is that alternative forms are emerging from within a network culture that challenges established forms of governance and allow for the possibility of 'non-representational democracy'.