E-Commerce and International Political Economics: The Legal and Political Ramifications of the Internet on World Economies

Abstract:     
This comment first defines the concept of e-comrnerce, discussing its development in the international market. The comment next examines the legal questions raised in the use of the Internet to facilitate business. Legally speaking, in order to promote efficiency in the world market this comment recommends two things: 1) no taxation on international e-commerce income and 2) that the international buyer should be more responsible in their Internet business transactions. Additionally, this comment analyzes the political issue of the "digital divide" and how international nation states have addressed these issues. This comment advocates that increase competition in the global market will lead to increased market access and a narrowing of the digital divide. Finally, this comment describes the business models that have formulated due to the use of the Internet and then it focuses on one company, Yahoo!, to see how it has handled the legal and political ramifications of the Internet in its global business.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 24

Keywords: technology, Internet, international business, world economies, electronic commerce, e-commerce, global taxation, consumer privacy, international markets, digital divide, Yahoo

JEL Classification: K19, K29, K33, K39, L84, L86

Accepted Paper Series