ccTLDs and the local dimension of Internet Governance

Abstract

"This work explores the role of ccTLDs1 at three institutional levels: a) global information society; b) regional; and c) national level for Argentina and Brazil. It incorporates institutionalism as a framework for mapping the main players which are determining the particular organizational field of national Internet Governance and the role played by ccTLDs. The analysis shows that the Internet organizational field is highly politically dependent from a domestic/local perspective and that the institutions which are involved in Internet Governance, including ccTLDs are pursuing active policies in trying to configure a field that is not yet institutionalized. These findings are intended to reflect upon the dimension of national / local Internet Governance approaches, a field that is not yet consolidated in the literature."