[aso-policy] Re: IP address holders - are they represented?

[Geoff Huston <gih@telstra.net>]

> As
> to RIPE having a mechanism for representative democracy, even if it
> is true it doesn't translate into either the ASO or ICANN.

"Representative democracy" does not necessarily create sound
public policies. Many would go further and suggest that there is
no systematic correlation between the two concepts.

So rather than progressing down a path of perhaps dubious value,
one could ask a subtly different question: "What factors contribute
to making poor public policy?"

One could include:
    poor information
    sloppy information gathering
    poor analysis of available information
    powerful vested interests with extensive process involvement
    conflicting interests on the part of the policy makers
    poor decision making framework
    conflicting interests on the part of decision makers
    incoherent or inconsistent policy outcomes
    no review of outcomes

How does one address these potential factors? Obviously with due
attention to the process used, and its integrity, as being the most
important prerequisite. It is my understanding that addressing many
of these factors is part of the rationale of this particular list.

regards,

   Geoff



-------
Geoff Huston   Chief Scientist, Internet
               Telstra Strategy & Research
phone: +61 2 6208 1908  fax: +61 2 6248 6165
www.telstra.net/gih
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