Regional Responses to Globalisation : Information and Communication Technology and Connectivity in Southeast Asia and Eastern and Southern Africa

Places in the world unable to access new technologies cannot tap into the benefits of globalisation and risk further marginalisation from global trade (Castells, 1998). Does information and communication technology (ICT), therefore, contribute to marginalisation of least developed countries (LDCs) in Southeast Asia (SEA) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA)? Assuming regionalisation enhances capacities of participants, this paper examines trends in ICT use among 5 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-5), and 8 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA-8) countries. Notwithstanding threats of marginalisation, ASEAN-5 and COMESA-8 countries are in step with globalisation. The evolutionary behaviour of ICTs here should, however, not be taken as merely reflecting attempts to cope with globalisation or threats of marginalisation. Rather, it also reflects efforts in these countries to establish ICT for its own sake, as a distinct part of the economy, use ICT to promote growth and development, and so on