ICANN InC.: Accountability and Participation in the Governance of Critical Internet Resources

Abstract

This paper assesses the relationship between public participation and accountability in ICANN. It shows that ICANN tries to combine three distict organizational models as a result of its global governance responsibilities: it combines elements of a private corporation, a bottom-up standards body and a government regulatory agency. The paper shows that the private corporation model has come to dominate the other two; however, ICANN lacks the normal forms of accountability to which private corporations are subject. ICANN has responded to accountability concerns by creating new opportunities for public comment, review, and participation. This paper questions whether participation is an adequate substitute for accountability. It analyzes three distinct reforms in ICANN's history to show how participation can displace accountability rather than improve it.