Franda's book explains elaborately and lucidly the international principles, norms and agreements (i.e. the regime) that makes possible the elaborate international cooperation necessary for the global Internet to function as it does. Regime dynamics regarding e-Commerce and taxation; investment and intellectual property; content, privacy and jurisdiction are extensively discussed in the core chapters in Franda's book. Franda rightly points out, as is the case with every other aspect of information technology, that the Internet regime functions more effectively in some areas than others. When the security of sovereign states and privacy of content are involved, acute mistrust and inter-state conflict has been the norm, making it impossible to develop consistent regime rules and procedures in these subject-areas. Governing the Internet has sections on Information War (IW) and the ways that public and private users of the Internet are trying to slowly but surely build more robust regime norms to facilitate inclusion of both aspiring as well as already "digitalized" states. Students of cyberspace and leaders of both governmental and non-governmental, national and international organizations using the global Internet will immensely profit from reading Franda's book - perhaps the first in an almost virgin field.

(Reviewed by Talukder Maniruzzaman, Professor of Political Science, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; with technical help from Raguib Muneer, Analyst, Environmental Data Group, Kentucky.)

Franda's book explains elaborately and lucidly the international principles, norms and agreements (i.e. the regime) that makes possible the elaborate international cooperation necessary for the global Internet to function as it does. Regime dynamics regarding e-Commerce and taxation; investment and intellectual property; content, privacy and jurisdiction are extensively discussed in the core chapters in Franda's book. Franda rightly points out, as is the case with every other aspect of information technology, that the Internet regime functions more effectively in some areas than others. When the security of sovereign states and privacy of content are involved, acute mistrust and inter-state conflict has been the norm, making it impossible to develop consistent regime rules and procedures in these subject-areas.

Governing the Internet has sections on Information War (IW) and the ways that public and private users of the Internet are trying to slowly but surely build more robust regime norms to facilitate inclusion of both aspiring as well as already "digitalized" states. Students of cyberspace and leaders of both governmental and non-governmental, national and international organizations using the global Internet will immensely profit from reading Franda's book - perhaps the first in an almost virgin field.

(Reviewed by Talukder Maniruzzaman, Professor of Political Science, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; with technical help from Raguib Muneer,

Analyst, Environmental Data Group, Kentucky.)

Dr. Marcus Franda's books have long been one of international journalism's best-kept secrets: top journalists often read and consult them, since they deal with serious issues and thoughtful concepts written in a clear journalistic style versus a more ponderous academic style. One scholar likened his style to "high journalism."

His books are crammed with important, painstakingly footnoted and painstakingly accurate research (quite an oddity these days when some print and broadcast journalists seem more akin to editorial writers, creative writing students or highly imaginative novelists). And he wraps up all his research, statistics, and quotes with thought-provoking concepts. Basically, Franda's books combine serious journalism with solid academic research.

In Internet Development and Politics in Five World Regions, he tackles one of the 21st century's biggest potential themes with his usual thoroughness and crystal-clarity. And, as usual, an incredible amount of vital information is packed into a relatively short space (some 243 pages).

This book has too many fascinating conclusions to go into here. But Franda notes that "the twin inventions" of the Internet and World Wide Web more than anything else "seem destined to spread the information revolution throughout the world." Yet, for "most people and countries of the world, becoming a significant player in the information technology revolution remains far in the future." In fact, he writes,131 countries in 1999 had less than 0.1 percent Internet connections.

The bulk of his book focuses on places where Internet related technology "has been less advanced" and has run into resistance from "cultures, nondemocratic governments and
poorer societies that do not view it in the same way Western nations do." Meanwhile, he writes, the "better-off...worse-off" gap between nations has widened as new income, international diplomatic and political power sources are created.

Chapters cover topics such as aspects of African cyberspace; Internet Cultures in Israel and the Arab World; the Middle East and the Global Internet Regime (including a section on Islamic and Arab Nationalist websites); Information Technology and Political Cultures in Eurasia; The Internet's political economy in Eastern Europe; Internet Politics in the former Soviet Union and other Central/Eastern European States; plus a fascinating chapter on China and India (Franda has been a longtime expert on India) as potential Internet Superpowers. Then he ties it all together with The Internet in Comparative International Perspective.

One final note: I was so impressed with this book that I'm gifting it to my nephew, who is in college majoring in computer/Internet studies. And I'll soon reading two other
books Dr. Franda has written on related issues. This book is recommended to anyone who wants to understand the Internet's impact, potential impact, and to students, business leaders and governments who seek an overview of what Internet development has come to mean to five key world regions. Or anyone who wants to see what no-nonsense "high journalism" can be in its purist, most intelligent, thoughtful form.
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