A Transnational History of the Internet in Central America, 1985–2000

Abstract

This chapter sets the stage by introducing the historical relevance and intellectual significance of the history of the Internet in Central America. It unpacks the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the book. To this end, the chapter introduces three important issues. First, it argues for examining the history of the Internet through a transnational lens (and clarifies what this means for the project). Second, it theorizes technology (such as computer networks) as a political project of regional integration. Third, it puts forth a view of technology and development as mutually constitutive. Methodologically, the analysis draws on archival research and 80 interviews with protagonists of networking initiatives. The chapter concludes by offering an overview of the book.