Internet and the governance of an uncertain world

Internet has no equal as an institutional laboratory. Yet, though the problem has been raised repeatedly over the past twenty-five years, public authorities still see no clear way of defining règulatory powers. As a result, the author believes it necessary to set up a law-making body on an international level with broad national participation. Up to now, the regulation of internet has been limited to its technological aspects, and overall thought on the subject has been lacking in substance and reference. Thus the author describes the present juridical situation and reflects on possible 'modes of governance'. He proposes various approaches to the problem and feels that 'the main question is one of sharing sovereignty over all or part of the resources and management of the network'. Reprinted by permission of Institut International d'Administration Publique