Information Technology and Global Governance

This book uses comparative case study methodology and extensive field work to examine and compare outcomes of four East African nations (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda) that implemented formal Information and Communications Technology policies in the 1990s. Based on extensive fieldwork, the book assesses the emergence of a new policy and technological arena from the turn of the millennium to the present. In addition to tracing the implementation and reception of these policies, Bowman considers to what extent the politics of infrastructure in four connected but distinct African nations have resulted in global participation and equitable distribution and access of infrastructure to all citizens, as well as the impact a recent history of war or peace have on the technological outcomes in these communities. The book provides us with invaluable new data on how policy and politics function in emerging democracies, and illuminates long-overlooked opportunities and conditions necessary for the distribution of new and potentially beneficial technologies in other developing countries. 

This book examines escapist coping strategies brought about by the pace, breadth and governance of technological change. It argues that escapism manifests in various forms, ranging from nostalgia for a fantasised past of unhindered reason and agency, to progressive visions of societal and political improvement, and greater empowerment. Drawing on post-humanist theory and critical disability studies, the book also assesses how escapism should not be viewed as an unavoidable reaction to technological change, and develops a model for an ethically equitable relationship between humans and technology. It will appeal to all those interested in governance and politics, media and communication studies, technology studies, and philosophy.  

Changes in the global environment, the complexity of decision-making, and the new role of social media have challenged the operating models and practices of traditional crisis preparedness and security of supply. In a knowledge society context, securing the continuous flow of information and communication on different platforms is a huge challenge, and the role of information resilience is more crucial than ever. Bringing together leading specialists from many fields on information resilience, this book examines how to ensure the undisturbed flow of information, the functionality of information and communications networks, and reliable and secure information content in all circumstances, both from an individual and societal viewpoint. The book address issues around information resilience from the standpoint of management, national security, misinformation, social media, and commercial actors. It will appeal to scholars and students of public policy, disaster management, security studies and governance, as well as practitioners.

Chapters 1 and 12 are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). For further details see license information in the chapter