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November 8, 2000 Event
Government and the Internet: Destined for Convergence
or Divided We Stand?
Politics is a pastime that Silicon Valley traditionally has considered
a spectator sport. Yet the upcoming presidential election is inspiring a
renewed focus on the government’s role in regulating the Internet. Staunch
staples of political discussion such as foreign policy, health care
reform, and the environment are giving way to debates over Internet
taxation, privacy, open access, and many others. In addition, the Internet
is enabling a wave of cyber-campaigning that illustrates its potential as
a political platform. Clearly, the government is shaping the online
revolution as much as the digital medium will shape a political evolution.
Therein lies the looming question: how will Silicon Valley and Washington
D.C. coexist as the two highly influential industries face ultimate and
inevitable integration?
A host of examples illustrate the difficulty in marrying the laws and
policies of the government with the freedom and power of the Internet. The
Web is a new medium where old rules around issues such as intellectual
property, patent law, and antitrust concerns simply do not apply. One such
example is the record industry’s need for new copyright regulation.
Another challenge involves the elimination of the digital divide. The
proliferation of an online subculture that is unfairly privileged is a
serious threat to the democratization of the Internet. On the business
front, pending legislation on H-1B visas, taxation, and privacy will
impact the fate of nearly every technology company. All the while,
lobbyists and politicians chase each other’s tails in an effort to shape
the Internet’s legal foundation.
Silicon Valley has stepped off of the sidelines into the government
game. But can an industry famous for Internet speed ever reconcile itself
with one infamous for red tape? To some extent, the numbers tell the
story: campaign contributions from technology companies this year have
topped $20 million to date, more than twice the amount donated in 1996 and
1998. Even civilian netizens have no choice but to pay attention to
Capitol Hill – the far-reaching impact of policy decisions on such issues
as privacy, copyrights, and taxation will touch businesses and individuals
alike. The thought of a government-regulated Internet is both an inspiring
and frightening one. One can only wonder whether the delicate integration
of these two industries was ever in Mr. Gore’s original Internet
blueprint.
Regulators
Confront Web Role in Politics
Net
Politics: What’s at Stake?
Key Learnings
DIGITALLY DIVIDED WE STAND
The digital divide is fueled by three
social differences: educational inequalities; the generation gap; and
economic class distinctions. Much of the gap stems from slow adoption of
technology in these demographics due to a lack of familiarity and/or
access. Television penetration in American households hints that
WebTV-like access will be key in bridging the digital divide. Federal
political action to ensure that schools meet a computer/student ratio
along with federally-subsidized computers in classrooms will also help
close this gap. Such actions will reduce the risk of empowering the
tech-savvy elite while disenfranchising those without access or technical
expertise. However, big business is doing more today to close the digital
divide than government regulation: sub-$1000 computers have proliferated
in large part because they opened new markets for businesses. Regardless,
the digital divide may be receiving unfair attention at the national level
- until kids get pencils and food, the digital divide seems a socially
indulgent "priority."
NET ELECTION DEBATES
Pundits claiming that
2000 is the last election year sans Internet voting may will wait a bit
longer for their vision to reach fruition. Online voting will be embraced
only when it does not broaden the digital divide. If the population can't
place it's confidence in a chad-plucking voting machine, the likelihood of
a smooth migration to voting via a machine mom and dad can't reboot
without the kids' help is unlikely. Fears of vote counting fraud plagued
the 2000 election, and such fears will only multiply as the voting medium
becomes LESS understood by the voting populous.
THE GOVERNMENT'S
RESPONSIBILITY
Unlike Silicon Valley the government has yet to figure
out exactly what it wants out of the Internet, beyond what it has
historically sought: votes and money. The government's immediate role
should be limited to stimulating baseline infrastructure for Internet
development. Whether through accident, insight, or the inevitable
constraints of ability, the government has tended to focus on establishing
and maintaining underlying support systems that form the foundation for
technology development. Moving forward, the government should respect this
role, be realistic about its limitations, and be wary of attempts to
regulate beyond them. The more aware the government is, the less chance it
will have of derailing the engine that has been powering Internet momentum
to date.
SILICON VALLEY'S RESPONSIBILITY
Silicon Valley will no
never again stand by as Washington politicians make decisions about the
technology industry's future. How Silicon Valley will make its desires
heard, however, is an evolving art form. A CLO position (Chief Lobbying
Officer) may be the answer for some companies. For others, executives may
flee to seek political office. However the most influential political
position may lie somewhere in between. Silicon Valley leaders must
exercise their political power to push hard issues to the public. For
example, proponents and critics of Tim Draper can agree that he forced a
decisive vote on charter schools once and for all. Silicon Valley leaders
must lead with issue-based campaigns and leave elected office pursuits to
seasoned politicians. That is, crushing competitors and exercising
monopoly power as a technocrat does not make a good politician. However,
the role and influence of seasoned technology executives will not be
underestimated when the time comes for Washington to increase its role in
technology industry regulation.
QUOTES OF THE NIGHT
"We need
less government in technology, and more technology in
government."
"Silcon Valley getting involved in government is
almost going against the ideals that created Silicon Valley."
"I'm
glad Silicon Valley is three thousand miles from Washington."
