The book investigates the complex interplay between information technology and the structures of governance and public policy. It examines the challenges of adapting regulatory institutions to rapidly evolving technical landscapes, questioning whether existing monopolies in telecommunications and cable television, or emerging software systems, will foster competition or consolidate power. The work also probes the applicability of traditional intellectual property rights and content control measures to the converged information sector, advocating for rigorous, multidisciplinary policy analysis to understand the impact of technological change.

This collection of essays is recognized for its rigorous, multidisciplinary approach to analyzing the impact of information technology on governance and public policy. It addresses critical questions regarding regulatory adaptation, the potential for monopoly power in evolving tech sectors, and the challenges of applying existing legal frameworks like intellectual property rights to the converged information landscape. The work is noted for its insightful examination of how changing technology necessitates sophisticated policy analysis to understand its broader significance.