Politics of the Internet in Third World Development

This book examines the political and developmental implications of the new information and communication technologies (NICT) in the developing world. Whereas the concept of the digital divide tends to focus on technological and quantitative indicators, this work stresses the crucial role played by the political regime type, the pursued development model and the specific configuration of actors and decision-making dynamics. Two starkly contrasting Third World countries - state-socialist Cuba and Latin America's 'showcase democracy' Costa Rica - are highlighted in in-depth empirical country studies.