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The Information Revolution and Developing Countries
In this book Ernest Wilson provides a clear, nuanced analysis of the major transformations resulting from the global information revolution. He shows that the information revolution is rooted in societal dynamics, political interests, and social structure. Using the innovative Strategic ReStructuring (SRS) model, he uncovers links between the big changes taking place around the world and the local initiatives of individual information activists, especially in developing countries. Indeed, Wilson shows that many of the structural changes of the information revolution, such as shifts from public to private ownership or from monopoly to competition, are driven by activists struggling individually and collectively to overcome local apathy and entrenched opposition to reform. Wilson applies his SRS model to the politics of Internet expansion in Brazil, China, and Ghana to illustrate the real-world challenges facing policy-makers and practitioners. Examples of such challenges include starting Internet companies, reforming regulatory laws, and formulating NGO strategies for dealing with the digital divide. Wilson identifies the tremendous possibilities for innovation and advancement in developing countries while acknowledging the structural, institutional, and cultural constraints that work against their realization.
456 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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September 30, 2016
This book came from a class reading list about the role of technology in international relations.
The book does an excellent job of pointing out the major issues in the space. The book provides an initial framework and two case studies; the findings of which he carries into other emerging market examples. In the framing section of the book, he discusses that there are four major areas that are thought to have some causal relationship.
1. Structure - which includes both existing infrastructure as well as the overall lay of the land/demography.
2. Institutions - what organizations already exist to facilitate or frustrate the building out of Information Communications & technology
3. Politics - what is the political climate? Democracy? Socialism? Central? non-central?
4. Government Policies - are there any specific top down initiatives that drive and inspire quick build out.
He includes the business realm as an actor that is affected by 2, 3, and 4. He then uses Brazil and China as two examples that started at similar time, but had very different initial conditions in 1-4.
I ranked this book a bit higher than the existing reviews on Living Social. I think this might be attributed to the organization of the book, more that the content. It's not bad. The chapters are very long and most likely could have been better organized thematically rather than his huge chunk approach. As a result, I could see others reading it and finding it less interesting than it actually is.
Others may just flat out not agree, as you can see that he places that 2,3,4 slightly above business sector driving the ICT development. I was surprised by this, but his point is nuanced. He shows much of what is done at the international NGO level. For the most "developing" of the developing nations, he discusses that most business ventures see it as a matter of philanthropy rather than strategy. This is true.
A few points that I highlight to make my claim the book deserves a bit more positive of a rating:
1. I think his section that shows the information bias on the interest is really unique. Even if parts of Africa had complete access, the lack of material in native language means that an individual would have to be fairly highly educated really take advantage of this knowledge resources. Fascinating.
2. Also, the difference in opinion between "Developed" and "Developing" perception of the information gap is widening, with the developed countries being more accurate. Given how massive this resources is, it is an interesting point with which to consider the future.
3. There is an interesting point to be made about the importance of common language. In this regard, if we look at the information to be found on the internet in the future, will it be in Chinese or will it be in English. On this point, historically the "haves" and the "have nots" have often been divided by access to information. What does this mean for the future?
The book does an excellent job of pointing out the major issues in the space. The book provides an initial framework and two case studies; the findings of which he carries into other emerging market examples. In the framing section of the book, he discusses that there are four major areas that are thought to have some causal relationship.
1. Structure - which includes both existing infrastructure as well as the overall lay of the land/demography.
2. Institutions - what organizations already exist to facilitate or frustrate the building out of Information Communications & technology
3. Politics - what is the political climate? Democracy? Socialism? Central? non-central?
4. Government Policies - are there any specific top down initiatives that drive and inspire quick build out.
He includes the business realm as an actor that is affected by 2, 3, and 4. He then uses Brazil and China as two examples that started at similar time, but had very different initial conditions in 1-4.
I ranked this book a bit higher than the existing reviews on Living Social. I think this might be attributed to the organization of the book, more that the content. It's not bad. The chapters are very long and most likely could have been better organized thematically rather than his huge chunk approach. As a result, I could see others reading it and finding it less interesting than it actually is.
Others may just flat out not agree, as you can see that he places that 2,3,4 slightly above business sector driving the ICT development. I was surprised by this, but his point is nuanced. He shows much of what is done at the international NGO level. For the most "developing" of the developing nations, he discusses that most business ventures see it as a matter of philanthropy rather than strategy. This is true.
A few points that I highlight to make my claim the book deserves a bit more positive of a rating:
1. I think his section that shows the information bias on the interest is really unique. Even if parts of Africa had complete access, the lack of material in native language means that an individual would have to be fairly highly educated really take advantage of this knowledge resources. Fascinating.
2. Also, the difference in opinion between "Developed" and "Developing" perception of the information gap is widening, with the developed countries being more accurate. Given how massive this resources is, it is an interesting point with which to consider the future.
3. There is an interesting point to be made about the importance of common language. In this regard, if we look at the information to be found on the internet in the future, will it be in Chinese or will it be in English. On this point, historically the "haves" and the "have nots" have often been divided by access to information. What does this mean for the future?
Displaying 1 of 1 review