The phrase "Internet governance" stimulates a range of responses, from fear on the part of infotech pioneers to hope in the hearts of many government leaders in emerging economies. A global "network of networks, " the Internet interconnects networks that serve people in nations with widely varying political and social norms, and it can seem threatening to those uncomfortable with free and open communications. At the same time, its connection with economic development and creativity, with the "information society, " makes access to it important to all. Further complicating the situation is the historic role of the United States as a leader in developing, using, and hosting businesses that help to operate the Internet or related services. Other countries, especially in the developing world, have begun to look to the United Nations (UN) for alternative leadership, both because of its international character and because its one-country-one-vote processes can limit U.S. influence. These circumstances have made Internet governance a controversial topic since it emerged in the 1990s, and the publication of Networks and States is something of a milestone in its young history.
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