Seizing the moment: Harnessing the information technologies

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Abstract
In this article, we review some of the historical trends and events that suggest the scope and power of the Information Revolution. We speculate how these trends and events may be interpreted in new models or theories of human affairs, in perhaps the greatest and most fundamental change since the latter part of the eighteenth century for human transactions of power of all kinds—political, economic, and military—and at all levels—global, national, and factional. Traditional hierarchies, based on the control of information, are being eroded and bypassed. At a time of great change, where institutions can provide for some measure of stability and continuity, many may be unable to function effectively in the face of a new abundance of public information. The relationships between information, the information technologies, and conflict are complex and not universally positive, but positive effects are evident and pose apparent opportunities to harness the information technologies to inhibit conflicts. We describe some of these opportunities in both general and specific terms. In general terms, we sketch the landscape of possibilities out to the horizon of the information technologies as they are currently understood, without regard to the limitations of politics, costs, or time. In these sketches we look at worlds in which anyone can listen or watch or broadcast anything that they want on global networks. We conclude with an initial agenda for research into issues that need to be addressed to properly support a program for exploring and investing in high‐leverage information initiatives to open societies and enhance human rights, thereby inhibiting conflict and promoting a more peaceful world. These are the issues that we will need to fully appreciate if we hope to make wise judgments in harnessing the Information Revolution to the positive and peaceful ends sought by most of the world public.

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