Social Learning and the History of Us Telecommunications Policy, 1900-1996

Through an examination of Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, 15 years of legislative activity in Congress, and policy decisions in the 20th century, this work argues that the Telecommunications Act was a process of learning in which federal regulators entered a mindset of competition.

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With the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, congress opened the door for an industry, once heavily regulated, to take bold steps in the direction of competition. Through an examination of nine major Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, more than 15 years of legislative activity in Congress, and several other policy decisions undertaken during the 20th century, this study argues that the Telecommunications Act was part of a process of social learning in which federal regulators entered an enduring mindset of competition beginning in the late 1970s. Scholars interested in telecommunications issues and developmental theories of policy change should find this book engaging.