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Regulatory Capitalism as a Networked Order: The International System as an Informational Network

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  • David Lazer

    (John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, National Center for Digital Government)

Abstract

This article conceptualizes the international system as an informational network—where the sovereign units in the system produce and process information, and linkages among units in the system are conduits for information. Building on a substantial literature that documents the diffusion of policies across nations, this article draws on concepts from network analysis to ask a critical question: what governance issues are raised by viewing the international system as an informational network? The author asserts that the core governance challenge is to balance the benefits of eliminating costly reinvention of the wheel, while maintaining continued innovation and minimizing the dissemination of welfare-reducing policies (fads). Increases in the linkages in the system, while improving the availability of information to all actors, may decrease innovation and increase fads.

Suggested Citation

  • David Lazer, 2005. "Regulatory Capitalism as a Networked Order: The International System as an Informational Network," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 598(1), pages 52-66, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:598:y:2005:i:1:p:52-66
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716204272590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Jacint Jordana & David Levi-Faur, 2005. "The Diffusion of Regulatory Capitalism in Latin America: Sectoral and National Channels in the Making of a New Order," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 598(1), pages 102-124, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacint Jordana & David Levi-Faur, 2005. "The Diffusion of Regulatory Capitalism in Latin America: Sectoral and National Channels in the Making of a New Order," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 598(1), pages 102-124, March.
    2. Carattini, Stefano & Fankhauser, Sam & Gao, Jianjian & Gennaioli, Caterina & Panzarasa, Pietro, 2023. "What does network analysis teach us about international environmental cooperation?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    3. Per-Olof Busch & Helge Jörgens & Kerstin Tews, 2005. "The Global Diffusion of Regulatory Instruments: The Making of a New International Environmental Regime," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 598(1), pages 146-167, March.
    4. Zachary Elkins & Beth Simmons, 2005. "On Waves, Clusters, and Diffusion: A Conceptual Framework," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 598(1), pages 33-51, March.

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