How ICANN Controls the Internet

Prior to discussing anything, let us first depict ICANN. ICANN is a non-profit body, formed in 1998, for domain names and IP ( Internet Protocols) allocation and management. It is one, perhaps the most public, of the Supra-governmental organizations that achieve Internet Governance by controlling different aspects of the Internet.


To briefly look at the organizational structure, ICANN is governed by an Internationally diverse Board of Directors who oversee the policy development process. The President and CEO, Rod Beckstrom, directs an International staff, working from 3 continents, who ensure that ICANN meets its operational commitment to the Internet.
Check out ICANN Policy Development Process.




What's ICANN's mission?
Let me qoute the site:
"The mission of The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") is to coordinate, at the overall level, the global Internet's systems of unique identifiers, and in particular to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. In particular, ICANN:

1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet, which are
1. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS");
2. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and
3. Protocol port and parameter numbers.
2. Coordinates the operation and evolution of the DNS root name server system.
3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical functions.

How does ICANN work to control the Internet?
First, I am going to substitute the word 'control' with 'govern'. This is because the former is merely part of the latter, but does not fully explain the latter.
To re-phrase the question: How does ICANN work to govern the Internet?
ICANN coordinates the management of the technical elements of the DNS (Domain Name System) to ensure Universal Resolvability so that all users of the Internet can find all valid addresses. It does this by overseeing the distribution of unique technical identifiers used in the Internet operations, and the delegation of the Top-level domain names, e.g. .com, .info, etc.
To understand universal resolvability, check out the extract below:

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Ensuring predictable results from any place is called Universal Resolvability. It is a critical design feature of the DNS, one that makes the Internet the helpful, global resource that it is today. Without it, the same domain name might map to different Internet locations under different circumstances which would only cause confusion.

ICANN

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The consequent new challenge brought about by the continuing Innovation and Growth of the Internet, is that of maintaining Internet stability. ICANN comes in and focuses in building and sustaining the Internet. In its structure, governments and International treaty organizations working in partnership with businesses, organizations and the staff, collectively address those issues that directly concern ICANN's mission of technical coordination.
There are over eighty governments that closely advise the Board of Directors via their Governmental Advisory Committee.

The good news, perhaps the best, is that ICANN welcomes participation to all who have interest

in global Internet policy as it relates to ICANN's mission of technical coordination. This is by providing many online forums which are accessible through its website: www.icann.org.
Additionally, other that its Supporting Organizations and Advisory committee having active mailing lists for participants, ICANN holds public meetings through out the year.
Check out ICANN public meetings for 2011.