Abstract
We argue that the true potential of the World Wide Web will not be fully unleashed until the web "becomes civilized," by the implementation of assurance structures. These structures will complement means for concerns like privacy and transaction enablers like e-payment mechanisms. We first present our position (as well as possible counter-positions), then we suggest and survey mechanisms to reach these goals, and show how these can be put together to provide a backbone (architectural framework) of civilized web commerce. We believe the discussion presented herein is central to the development of large scale web commerce supported by cryptographic control mechanisms. On the other hand, the analysis, arguments, and possible parameters for discussion regarding the notion of assurance structure is huge; we therefore do not claim to present a complete view (in fact, we claim to present an incomplete one!).