Originally published in 1983. This book presents a description and critical analysis of the communication systems and policy at the time in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand. It examines the technological and cultural forces shaping policy and communications development, and begins with a chapter presenting a review of the international context and of the conceptual frameworks suggested by scholars concerned with communication policy. Other chapters highlight the common trends among countries, and analyses the unique nature of policy and communications development in each country based on its cultural foundation.

All the contributions reflect a common theme which relates to the two distinct sources from which a nation's communication policy can be studied - official statements about goals and means, and observable results of communication decisions and practices.