Digital Opportunities, Equity, and Poverty in Latin America
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES, Mila Gasco Hernandez, Fran Equiza-Lopez, Manuel Acevedo-Ruiz, eds., IGI Publishing, November 2006
24 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2007
Abstract
This chapter examines the digital divide that exists within Latin American countries. It argues that information and communication technology is creating new opportunities that can be seized to support human development and poverty-reduction strategies. However, it also clarifies that ICT on its own cannot leapfrog the old institutional and organizational weaknesses of Latin American economies and societies. The author hopes that understanding the deep-rooted inequalities that underlie ICT access in Latin America will not only inform researchers on the challenges for the development of the information society in the region, but also assist policy makers in the preparation and implementation of appropriate public policies.
Keywords: ICT, technology, poverty, inequality, Latin America, digital divide
JEL Classification: O18, O20, O33, R58, I30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation