History of Success = History of Technology

As stated early on in the Thussu book, Communication has always been critical to the establishment and maintenance of power, particularly over large distances. As can be seen in the great empires of the past such as the Persian, Greek, Roman, and British empires, efficient networks of communication were essential for the imposition of imperial rule, as well as for international trade and commerce. The book also suggests that the extent of a certain empire could be used as an indication of the efficiency of its communication networks. Communication technology is imperative for operating government, military campaigns and trade.

Perhaps the beginning of our modern day instantaneous international communication can be seen in the invention and implementation of Samuel Morse's telegraph machine, starting in 1837. The significance of this technology was recognized immediately and it began to connect the people of the world together in a ways that they could not possibly have imagined previously. The United States and England were the first nations to really begin utilizing the telegraph and they quickly prospered because of it. The telegraph arguably above all else led to the rapid expansion and unification of the British empire and in turn provided networks of communication to many parts of the world which previously had no contact together.

The U.S. and England were not the only nations to be affected by the Telegraph. The American's worked closely with the Turkish empire and sold them the technology required to set up a communications network and the Sultan used it to administer his authority throughout the land. He also used this seemingly magical device to win support from citizins of his empire.

Japan also provides a very interesting case study. Before 1850, japan had relatively no contact with the outside world, save for the Dutch who they used as a means of 'keeping up to date' with world affairs. However in 1852, Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States sailed in with his navy and introduced the Japanese to a host of new technologies, including Morse's telegraph. They were so impressed that the ruling Shogun (military ruler of Japan) decided to begin trading with the West, which was something that was unheard of and previously very undesirable. By the end of the century Japan had fully integrated Western communications technology into the nation and used it efficiently as a government tool and extremely efficiently in wars fought against the technologically lacking nations of China and Russia. The defeat of these two nations spurred Japan to continue to develope it's communication network and by the beginning of the Second World War Japan had risen from a backwater agricultural nation to become a major technologically and militarily advanced world superpower.

There are many examples of how technology has shaped history in very dramatic ways, and communication technology is no different. Especially upon the initial implementation of the telegraph, it seemed as though the nations who possessed this technology and used it efficiently had tremendous advantages over those who did not have it. Perhaps it is the head start received in the race for communication technology by Western powers and Japan that has let to them continuing to be the dominant powers in the world. It is only now in the 21st century that other previously great nations like China and India are finally starting to catch up with the West in terms of communications infrastructure and technology and their rising economies and influence can attest to their relatively recent achievements. It will be interesting to see where this century takes us in terms of international power relations.

1. Thussu, Daya Kishan. “The Historical Context of International Communication.” International Communication: Continuity and Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
2. Yakup, Bektas. “Displaying the American Genius: The Electromagnetic Telegraph in the Wider World,” The British Journal for the History of Science, 34(2001)

Free Flow of Information

Free Flow of Information Theory

This is the idea that media proprietors should have complete agency and have the right to sell and advertise their goods wherever and to whoever they wish. This free market ideology came into being as a result of a few key developments beginning in the cold war era after world war 2. The push for capitalism by Western powers, specifically the U.S., meant a push for free markets and international communication had the primary function of promoting democracy, freedom of expression and market freedom. As opposed to Marxists, who were proponents for state regulation on communication and media outlets, the concept of free flow of information reflected the Western capitalist belief that markets should not be controlled or censored. It is not surprising that the state felt this way. Due to the fact that most of the world's media resources were concentrated in the West, Western governments, media proprietors, and business communities had the most to gain from such a free flow market. Therefore, free flow markets served both economic and political purposes and more regulated policies involved in communism and Marxism were actually bad for business. Regulated media markets reduced the ability of Western media organizations from advertising and marketing their goods and services in foreign markets and therefor, reduced capitol gain and market share.

Capitol and monetary gains were not the only thing at stake in the cold war era. Ideological battles with communist Soviet union also factored into the equation. The U.S. wanted to spread it's influence in other countries around the world, thereby strengthening it's global position in the eyes of foreign nations. Western dominance was indeed achieved as a result of saturating the foreign entertainment media market with Western ideals such as individualism and capitalism.

International Communication

This where I will be posting all of my International Communication blogs for 4D03.