The Globalization Index 2007: Trafficking in Information
When you log on, there's a good chance you're also visiting Miami, London, or Bonn.
An advanced highway system is often credited for the rise of the Roman Empire; goods, soldiers, and tax revenues could move across great distances at remarkable speed for the age. But if all roads once led to Rome, today's Internet superhighway leads to the world's most open countries. More-globalized countries tend to have more international Internet bandwidth, a measure of the size of the "pipe" through which e-mail and Web pages cross borders. The United States leads the way in the amount of international cybertraffic it can handle; indeed, its capacity is so large, most e-mails zooming between Latin America and Europe pass through the United States. Likewise, London is a leading transit point for trans-Atlantic traffic destined for Europe. The sun may have set on the British Empire, but it is still a Heathrow of cyberspace.
An advanced highway system is often credited for the rise of the Roman Empire; goods, soldiers, and tax revenues could move across great distances at remarkable speed for the age. But if all roads once led to Rome, today’s Internet superhighway leads to the world’s most open countries. More-globalized countries tend to have more international Internet bandwidth, a measure of the size of the "pipe" through which e-mail and Web pages cross borders. The United States leads the way in the amount of international cybertraffic it can handle; indeed, its capacity is so large, most e-mails zooming between Latin America and Europe pass through the United States. Likewise, London is a leading transit point for trans-Atlantic traffic destined for Europe. The sun may have set on the British Empire, but it is still a Heathrow of cyberspace.
More from Foreign Policy
Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.
The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.
Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.
How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
