Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime

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dc.contributor.advisorNaidoo, Gen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorRanchod, Yudhviren_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-07-30T03:45:48Z
dc.date.available2014-07-30T03:45:48Z
dc.date.issued2008en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 122-126).en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis study provides a descriptive analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime. Compelled by a combination of hegemonic influences and its own self interest, this study argues that South Africa accepted the liberalising commitments of the emerging global information policy regime vis-a-vis the World Trade Organization Agreement on Basic Telecommunications. As a contribution to understanding inter-state cooperation in international relations, regime theory is utilised as the theoretical framework. The regime framework is used to explain the motivations behind South Africa's intention to liberalise its telecommunications sector as a result of power dynamics in the international system. The findings from the qualitative analysis note that South Africa's response is motivated by systemic and domestic factors. A willingness to enter the information economy and fulfil domestic social development means that South Africa has to balance its obligations to the WTO with the commitments to improve its domestic accessibility concerns. As a developing country with inadequate conditions for liberalisation, South Africa was unable to stop the strategic equity partners from capitalising on the poorly regulated telecommunications environment. The unfavourable result of high tariff charges and low fixed-line connectivity can be attributed to privatisation initiatives and lack of political will to promote competition. South Africa is in the midst of dramatic change in its telecommunications sector which is aided by technological convergence, further privatisation of the incumbent and the introduction of the Second Network Operator. The international scope of this study means that liberalisation is part of South Africa's broader commitments to the emerging global information policy regime. Entering the information economy is conditional on the successful implementation of international liberalisation policies so that the required investment and skills can assist in providing universal service to the majority of South Africa citizens. However, implementation requires a fair market structure, independent regulation and low interconnection charges. Without these important structures in place, this study notes that the goal of participation in the information economy and economic growth as a result of effective telecommunication utilisation is a distant reality.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationRanchod, Y. (2008). <i>Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Political Studies. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3719en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationRanchod, Yudhvir. <i>"Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Political Studies, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3719en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationRanchod, Y. 2008. Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Ranchod, Yudhvir AB - This study provides a descriptive analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime. Compelled by a combination of hegemonic influences and its own self interest, this study argues that South Africa accepted the liberalising commitments of the emerging global information policy regime vis-a-vis the World Trade Organization Agreement on Basic Telecommunications. As a contribution to understanding inter-state cooperation in international relations, regime theory is utilised as the theoretical framework. The regime framework is used to explain the motivations behind South Africa's intention to liberalise its telecommunications sector as a result of power dynamics in the international system. The findings from the qualitative analysis note that South Africa's response is motivated by systemic and domestic factors. A willingness to enter the information economy and fulfil domestic social development means that South Africa has to balance its obligations to the WTO with the commitments to improve its domestic accessibility concerns. As a developing country with inadequate conditions for liberalisation, South Africa was unable to stop the strategic equity partners from capitalising on the poorly regulated telecommunications environment. The unfavourable result of high tariff charges and low fixed-line connectivity can be attributed to privatisation initiatives and lack of political will to promote competition. South Africa is in the midst of dramatic change in its telecommunications sector which is aided by technological convergence, further privatisation of the incumbent and the introduction of the Second Network Operator. The international scope of this study means that liberalisation is part of South Africa's broader commitments to the emerging global information policy regime. Entering the information economy is conditional on the successful implementation of international liberalisation policies so that the required investment and skills can assist in providing universal service to the majority of South Africa citizens. However, implementation requires a fair market structure, independent regulation and low interconnection charges. Without these important structures in place, this study notes that the goal of participation in the information economy and economic growth as a result of effective telecommunication utilisation is a distant reality. DA - 2008 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2008 T1 - Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime TI - Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3719 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/3719
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationRanchod Y. Caught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regime. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Political Studies, 2008 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3719en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Political Studiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherPolitical Studiesen_ZA
dc.titleCaught in the web : an analysis of South Africa's response to the emerging global information policy regimeen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMSocScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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