Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Law
The Eye Of The Beholder: Participation And Impact In Telecommunications (De)Regulation, Dorit Reiss
The Eye Of The Beholder: Participation And Impact In Telecommunications (De)Regulation, Dorit Reiss
Dorit R. Reiss
The California Public Utilities Commission addressed both pricing deregulation and universal service in telecommunications during the last decade. Both decisions had a similar cast of characters, and similarly elaborate processes. In relation to price deregulation, the utilities positions were accepted on every issue addressed; in relation to universal service, consumer organizations’ positions were accepted in about 60% of the issues. This article tells the story of how those decisions were made, and examines the reasons for the difference in impact. The article examines and reject an explanation of capture; accepts in part a focus on the influence of the commissioner …
No Innocents Here: Using Litigation To Fight Against The Costs Of Universal Service In France, Dorit Reiss
No Innocents Here: Using Litigation To Fight Against The Costs Of Universal Service In France, Dorit Reiss
Dorit R. Reiss
Liberalization of utility sectors may bring the benefits of competition to customers, but it also creates risks of manipulation of the new system by powerful industrial actors. Litigation is one tool available to undermine or delay effective regulation. In 2001 the European Court of Justice declared the French system of funding universal service in telecommunications untreaty, and ordered France to redesign it. The commission and observers understood the case as a triumph of open market over France’s narrow protection of the "national champion" French Télécom. An alternative interpretation that fits the data better describes the story as successful use of …
Account Me In: Agencies In Quest Of Accountability, Dorit R. Reiss
Account Me In: Agencies In Quest Of Accountability, Dorit R. Reiss
Dorit R. Reiss
This articles adds to the literature about accountability by examining the little-studied phenomenon of agencies making efforts—sometimes substantial efforts - to be accountable. It briefly describes how three agencies—the EPA, the FDA and especially the IRS—worked to increase their accountability. It demonstrates that agencies are often not the enemy in the “accountability game”. In today’s world agencies, contrary to the stereotype, often buy into the language and practice of accountability. It addresses three arguments for this behavior: a rational choice argument based on comparison of the costs of non-accountability with the benefits of accountability; a power of ideas argument showing …