Why Everyone Was Wrong About Net Neutrality

Let’s begin with the most obvious incorrect prediction, namely that passage of a strong rule (a Title II rule in telecommunications jargon) would be politically impossible. The point was echoed by political cynics who believe that federal regulatory agencies like the Federal Communications Commission tend to become captured and obey the bidding of whoever spends the most to lobby them. The predictions were wrong. Why, exactly, is subject to debate. It may have been the unexpected effectiveness of Internet-based activist groups, who protested the FCC and helped convince millions of people to write and send comments about the potential rules. It may have been the White House and the personal involvement of President Barack Obama himself. Or maybe people just misunderstood the character of the FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. Whatever the explanation, the most pessimistic theories of lobbyist power clearly need be revised.