The United States and the Global Information Infrastructure: Orchestrator, Functionary, or Mediator?

Abstract

This article examines the position of the American state in contemporary information and communication sector globalisation activities. Through an assessment of the role played by the United States in Uruguay Round GA TT services and intellectual property rights provisions and related global information infrastructure developments, the author argues that advancements in analytical precision and subsequent strategic opportunity can be attained by conceptualising the American state as a complex mediator of emerging national and transnational corporate-based interests.

Keywords:

• General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
• global information infrastructure (GII)
• globalisation
• International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
• state theory
• United States