Transforming Global Information and Communication Markets: The Political Economy of Innovation (Information Revolution and Global Politics)

Innovation in information and communication technology (ICT) fuels the growth of the global economy. How ICT markets evolve depends on politics and policy, and since the 1950s periodic overhauls of ICT policy have transformed competition and innovation. For example, in the 1980s and the 1990s a revolution in communication policy (the introduction of sweeping competition) also transformed the information market. Today, the diffusion of Internet, wireless, and broadband technology, growing modularity in the design of technologies, distributed computing infrastructures, and rapidly changing business models signal another shift. This pathbreaking examination of ICT from a political economy perspective argues that continued rapid innovation and economic growth require new approaches in global governance that will reconcile diverse interests and enable competition to flourish.The authors (two of whom were architects of international ICT policy reforms in the 1990s) discuss this crucial turning point in both theoretical and practical terms, analyzing changes in ICT markets, examining three case studies, and considering principles and norms for future global policies. Readers wishing to explore certain topics in greater depth will find an electronic version of the text, additional materials, and "virtual" appendixes online.Information Revolution and Global Politics series Innovation In Information And Communication Technology (ict) Fuels The Growth Of The Global Economy. How Ict Markets Evolve Depends On Politics And Policy, And Since The 1950s Periodic Overhauls Of Ict Policy Have Transformed Competition And Innovation. For Example, In The 1980s And The 1990s A Revolution In Communication Policy (the Introduction Of Sweeping Competition) Also Transformed The Information Market. Today, The Diffusion Of Internet, Wireless, And Broadband Technology, Growing Modularity In The Design Of Technologies, Distributed Computing Infrastructures, And Rapidly Changing Business Models Signal Another Shift. This Pathbreaking Examination Of Ict From A Political Economy Perspective Argues That Continued Rapid Innovation And Economic Growth Required New Approaches In Global Governance That Will Reconcile Diverse Interests And Enable Competition To Flourish. The Authors (two Of Whom Were Architects Of International Ict Policy Reforms In The 1990s) Discuss This Crucial Turning Point In Both Theoretical And Practical Terms, Analyzing Changes In Ict Markets, Examining Three Case Studies, And Considering Principles And Norms For Future Global Policies. Readers Wishing To Explore Certain Topics In Greater Depth Will Find An Electronic Version Of The Text, Additional Materials, And Virtual Appendixes Online.--jacket. I. The Inflection Point -- 1. The Next Revolution In Global Information And Communication Markets -- 2. The First Two Ict Eras -- 3. Modularity At The Inflection Point -- 4. Modularity And Innovation -- 5. The Political Economy Of The Inflection Point -- Ii. A Theoretical Interlude -- 6. Theory Before Policy -- Iii. Three Dimensions Of Global Market Governance -- 7. Trade And The Global Network Revolution -- 8. Wireless Infrastructure -- 9. Internet Governance -- Summary And Conclusions / Donald Abelson. Peter F. Cowhey And Jonathan D. Aronson ; With Donald Abelson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [269]-336) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Transforming Global Information and Communication Markets......Page 2 ISBN 9780262012850......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 I The Inflection Point ......Page 16 1 The Next Revolution in Global Information and Communication Markets......Page 18 2 The First Two ICT Eras......Page 30 3 Modularity at the Inflection Point......Page 54 4 Modularity and Innovation......Page 76 5 The Political Economy of the Inflection Point ......Page 106 II A Theoretical Interlude......Page 138 6 Theory before Policy......Page 140 III Three Dimensions of Global Market Governance......Page 158 7 Trade and the Global Network Revolution......Page 160 8 Wireless Infrastructure......Page 186 9 Internet Governance ......Page 218 Summary and Conclusions......Page 244 Notes......Page 280 Index......Page 348 Innovation in information and communication technology (ICT) fuels the growth of the global economy. This examination of ICT from a political economy perspective argues that continued rapid innovation and economic growth require fresh approaches in global governance that reconciles diverse interests and enable competition to flourish