JP Singh

Negotiation and the Global Information Economy (Book Launch)

Thursday, November 20, 2008 
12:30 - 2:00 pm
Room J1-050 (Next to the Infoshop)

Speaker: JP Singh is Associate Professor in the Communications, Culture and Technology Program at Georgetown University and Editor of the Review of Policy Research. He is the author of Leapfrogging Development? The Political Economy of Telecommunications Restructuring (1999) and co-editor of Information Technologies and Global Politics (with James N. Rosenau, 2002). His latest book is Negotiation and the Global Information Economy, Cambridge University Press, 2008

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What role do diplomacy and negotiations play in economic globalization? Many argue that great powers shape diplomacy to their advantage, others that, in a 'flat world', diplomacy helps everyone. Going beyond these polarized views, this book explores the conditions under which negotiations matter and the ways in which diplomacy is evolving in the global commercial arena. J. P. Singh argues that where there is a diffusion or decentralization of power among global actors, diplomacy can be effective in allowing the adjustment of positions so that mutual gains will result. In contrast, when there is a concentration of power, outcomes tend to benefit the strong. There will be little alteration in perception of interest, and coercion by strong powers is common. Singh's book suggests that there are possibilities for transformational problem-solving through multilateral diplomacy. Empirically, the book examines the most important information-age trade issues.

More information on the book:

http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521731089&ss=fro

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