Technological Utopiafor Developing Countries

Cyberspace（网络空间）,data superhighways, multi-media,the linking of computers, television and telephones will change our livesforever. Yet for all the talk of a

forthcomingtechnological utopia（乌托邦）,littleattention has been given to the implications of these developments for thepoor. As with all new high technology,the West

concerns itself withthe"how to benefit".The question of"for whom"is put asideonce again.

Economists are onlynow realizing the full extent to which the communications revolution hasaffected the world economy.Information technology allows the extension of

trade acrossgeographical and industrial boundaries,and transnational corporations take fulladvantage of it. Terms of trade ex-change,interest rates and money movementsare

more important thanthe production of goods.The electronic economy made possible by informationrevolution.Technology allows the haves to increase their control on

global markets andwith destructive impact on the have-nots.

For them the resultis instability. Developing countries which rely on the production of a smallrange of goods for export are made to feel like small parts in theinternational

economic machine.As"futures"（期货）aretraded on computer screens, developing countries simply have less and lesscontrol of their destinies.

So what are theoptions for regaining control?One alternative is for developing countries tobuy in the latest computers and telecommunications themselves一so-

called"developmentcommunications"modernization.Yet this leads to long-term dependency andperhaps permanent constraints on developing countries' economies.

Communicationstechnology is generally exported from the U.S.,Europe or Japan.The patents,skills and ability to manufacture remain in the hands of a few industrialized

countries.

Furthermore,when newtechnology is introduced,there is often too low a level of expertise to exploitnative development.This means that while local elites,foreign

communities andsubsidiaries of transitional corporations may benefit,but not developingcountries.

The development ofmodern communications technology in developing countries may______.

A.hinder theirindustrial production

B.cause them to losecontrol of their trade

C.force them toreduce their share of exports

D.cost them theireconomic independence