The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) controls extremely important aspects of the Internet. Since 1998, it has operated under various agreements with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The current agreement expires later this year. Before then, a public policy decision must be made about ICANN’s future. ICANN would like to be fully “privatized,” but that decision raises significant questions about ICANN’s structure, mission, and performance. Does ICANN’s governance structure provide sufficient accountability? If not, what type of structure would, and to whom should ICANN be accountable? How should reforms address ICANN’s status as a de facto regulator? How should reforms address the intellectual property issues associated with domain names? This conference will discuss these issues and a recent TPI study on the subject coauthored by TPI president Thomas Lenard and NYU Stern School of Business economics professor Lawrence J. White.
Miscellaneous
Upcoming Events
Renewable Energy Mandates: Costs, Benefits, and Alternatives; and ICANN at a Crossroads: Privatization, Reform, Both, or Neither?
Technology Policy Institute Names Carly Fiorina Chair of Board
Washington, D.C. – The Technology Policy Institute (TPI) today announced Carly Fiorina’s appointment as Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. Ms. Fiorina succeeds Ray Gifford, who was TPI’s founding board chairman and will remain on the board.
ICANN at a Crossroads: A Proposal for Better Governance and Performance
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has control over extremely important aspects of the Internet, but is largely accountable to no one, according to a new study coauthored by Thomas M. Lenard and Lawrence J. White. ICANN�s governance structure should be dramatically reformed to make it more accountable before the current tie with the U.S. Department of Commerce is allowed to expire. Lenard is President and Senior Fellow at TPI; White is Professor of Economics at the NYU Stern School of Business.
ICANN Should be Reformed Before “Privatization”
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has control over extremely important aspects of the Internet, but is largely accountable to no one, according to a new study coauthored by Thomas M. Lenard and Lawrence J. White. ICANN’s governance structure should be dramatically reformed to make it more accountable before the current tie with the U.S. Department of Commerce is allowed to expire. Lenard is President and Senior Fellow at TPI; White is Professor of Economics at the NYU Stern School of Business.
Wallsten Universal Service Testimony
On March 12, 2009 TPI Vice President for Research and Senior Fellow Scott Wallsten testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet on reforming the universal service high cost fund. Subsidies from the high-cost fund to rural telecommunications providers have increased from $1.7 billion in 1999 to nearly $5 billion today. Wallsten recommended moving from the current inefficient system to one that awards subsidies through competitive bidding. Such reverse auctions for universal service have been used successfully in other countries and could reduce subsidies and benefit consumers.
The Budgetary Effects of High-Skilled Immigration Reform
Most economists believe that admitting more highly skilled workers from other countries is beneficial to the U.S. economy. This is particularly true of workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Immigration also has positive effects on the federal budget. Highly skilled workers pay more in taxes than less skilled workers and they are not likely to receive federal benefits, particularly in the near term.
New Study Shows Positive Fiscal Effects of Loosening Green Card and H-1B Caps
Lifting restrictions on high-skilled immigration would reduce the federal deficit, according to a new study by TPI senior fellow Arlene Holen. The new study will be discussed at a March 10 TPI conference at the National Press Club from 12-3. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) will deliver a keynote address. The conference agenda and registration information can be found here on our website.
March 10th Event: High-Skilled Immigration: Budgetary and Economic Effects, Zoe Lofgren Keynote Speaker
Immigration is a contentious issue, particularly in an economic downturn. But even now, employers in critical sectors ranging from information technology to finance are seeking highly skilled immigrants. These workers are in limited supply because foreign applicants face stringent caps on green cards and temporary work visas. Legislators and other policy makers need to make decisions on this issue on the basis of the overall effects of high-skilled immigrants on economic growth and innovation, the wages and employment of domestic workers, and the effects on government budgets, which are less well understood.
Instant Info Is a Two-Edged Sword
Bubbles have always been part of markets. The 17th century Dutch Tulip mania and the 18th century’s South Sea Bubble are part of capitalist folklore. Recently, there seems to be an increase in the number and severity of bubbles and crashes — Internet stock prices, housing prices and the stock market come to mind.