Advances in the field of information and communication technologies have substantially affected most segments of our life, leading to the Information Age or Information Revolution. On both individual and state scale, 'information' has become a vital 'commodity' by which one measures levels of knowledge, skills, well-being, prosperity and development. This academic work traces the evolution of the Information Age and the emerging trends of diplomacy and politics in today's world. It signals potential opportunities and threats, while strategically forecasting current and future implications. Including three major chapters, the work is divided into eleven significant themes. It reviews the emergence of knowledge-based societies and highlights their main features. The course of globalization, the worldwide Internet development, the consequences of restricting the flow of information, and the Revolution in Military Affairs are among the issues examined. Also thoroughly treated is the evolution of diplomacy, with reference to information and intelligence gathering, analysis, and policy-making. The publication outlines the qualifications of diplomats and executives required at the present and coming stages of professionalism. In addition to examining contemporary traditional and non-traditional conflicts around the globe, it takes a look at U.S. hegemony policies in world affairs. Certain cultural and social issues directly linked to the Information Age are dealt with as well. They refer to the growing importance of culture and identity awareness in an era of increasing social interdependence, and to the global evolution of languages and their use in everyday life and in current affairs. The book concludes with a set of observations in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the United States. The observations point to particular notions and developments that influence our way of living, politics and diplomacy. Furthermore, specific analysis is made to the U.S. invasion in Iraq in March 2003 and to its consequences.

This volume, the second in the series of Herbert Wilson Griffin Seminars in International Affairs, provides a broad look, supported by a wealth of detail, at the extent to which the communications revolution is affecting our lives and relations among sovereign states. The world in the information age is changing rapidly, posing new challenges with respect both to the issues we confront and the ways in which we must deal with them. One constant theme that runs throughout the discussion is the need to adapt our thinking and behavior to the demands and opportunities of this changing environment. This is the challenge for American policies and for American diplomacy in the information age. Co-published with the Dacor Bacon House Foundation.

Potter (communications, U. of Ottawa), formerly a senior strategist in the Communications Bureau at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), argues that advances in information technology will act as catalysts for forces of fragmentation and integration in the current international system. He presents seven contributions that explore the theoretical implications of the growth of information technologies and test their ideas on how the processes have manifested and the DFAIT. Also discussed are the ability of NGOs and social movements to use communication technologies to resist multilateral trade agreements, the impact of CNN and other global television phenomena, and the possibilities that governments can use information technologies to enhance their public diplomacy and their "soft power." Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Intelligence was a central element of the Cold War and the need for it was expected to diminish after the USSR's collapse, yet in recent years it has been in greater demand than ever. The atrocities of 11 September and the subsequent "war on terrorism" now call for an even more intensive effort. Important questions arise on how intelligence fits into the world of increased threats, globalization and expanded international action. This volume contains the recent work on this subject by Michael Herman, British intelligence professional for 35 years and Oxford University academic. It compares intelligence with other government information services, and discusses the British intelligence system and the case for its reform. It also addresses the ethical issues raised by intelligence's methods and results: "do they on balance make for a better world or a worse one?". Other chapters explore a wide range of intelligence topics past and present, including the transatlantic relationship, the alliance strategies of Norway and New Zealand, Mrs Thatcher's "de-unionization" of British Sigint, and personal memories of the British Cabinet Office in the 1970s. Michael Herman argues for intelligence professionalism as a contribution to international security and for its encouragement as a world standard. The modern challenge is for intelligence to support international cooperation in ways originally developed to advance national interests, while at the same time developing some restraint and international "rules of the game", in the use of intrusive and covert methods on its traditional targets. The effects of 11 September on this challenge are discussed in a thoughtful afterword.

Argues that for the US to exercise global leadership and promote its national interests, it must overhaul the culture of diplomacy to make it more open and participatory, discard and replace obsolete technology, and embrace a larger community of international and domestic actors. No index. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Technology, and particularly the Internet, has caused many changes in the realm of politics. Mainstream media no longer has a monopoly on political commentary as social media, blogs, and user-generated video streaming sites have emerged as an outlet for citizens and political activists to openly voice their opinions, organize political demonstrations, and network online. The Handbook of Research on Political Activism in the Information Age includes progressive research from more than 39 international experts at universities and research institutions across 15 different countries. Each of the 25 scholarly chapter contributions focus on topics pertaining to the application of information technology, engineering, and mathematics to political activism. Through its analysis of the methods for political activism in the information age, the effectiveness of these methods, as well as emerging analytical tools, this book is designed for use by researchers, activists, political scientists, engineers, computer scientists, journalists, professors, students and professionals working in the fields of politics, e-government, media and communications, and Internet marketing.

The Arab media has been able to effect a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the past few years. Today, it is disseminating more information to a wider and growing audience. In fact, it has not only made its presence felt on the world stage but has even been able to influence the course of international events. This change has largely been brought about by Arab satellite news channels, Arab websites, and international Arabic newspapers. In spite of these achievements, the Arab media still suffers from several structural shortcomings, which it needs to immediately address and overcome. The book contributes towards promoting the cause of the Arab media, enrich its expertise and chart its future course. It seeks to diagnose the ills facing the Arab media; assess its orientation, content, and performance; study its social responsibilities and functions; evaluate the extent of its influence on Arab public opinion and its role in presenting Western views to the Arab world. The book also studies the experiences of the new Arab satellite channels. In addition, the book delves into certain contentious issues such as the independence and credibility of the media and the relationship of the press with commercial interests and political influence. It also covers a comparative study of the Western and Arab media and examines the role of the press in times of war, besides focusing on the growing role of the Internet in the Arab world. The book draws on the expertise and insight of a distinguished group of contributors, which consist of eminent media professionals, prominent researchers and academicians from the Arab world and beyond.

National security is being redefined in the 21st century. Rapid advances in technology are reminiscent of the initiation of the nuclear age. As the cyber realm and outer space develop as new domains of international competition, there are new strategies and tools for states to utilize and also defend against. Important elements of national security and some strategies are not new but would benefit from exploration with a fresh perspective. This book seeks to explore some of the changing relationships, the nature of alliances, and the UN to better understand national security in the digital and information age. The framework of international law as applied to new domains and gray-zone activity will also be explored to understand the tactics being used in the current strategic environment. Examining these significant elements of national security with a modern eye provides important insights for policymakers and the public in this new age of national security.

This book examines information and public opinion control by the authoritarian state in response to popular access to information and upgraded political communication channels among the citizens in contemporary China. Empowered by mass media, particularly social media and other information technology, Chinese citizen’s access to information has been expanded. Publicly focusing events and opinions have served as catalysts to shape the agenda for policy making and law making, narrow down the set of policy options, and change the pace of policy implementation. Yet, the authoritarian state remains in tight control of media, including social media, to deny the free flow of information and shape public opinion through a centralized institutional framework for propaganda and information technologies. The evolving process of media control and public opinion manipulation has constrained citizen’s political participation and strengthened Chinese authoritarianism in the information age. The chapters originally published as articles in the Journal of Contemporary China.