ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that effective analysis of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and poverty requires a nuanced approach, as unfortunately there is no magic bullet to test this complex relationship. It analysis portion of inquiry investigates quantitative data at the national level. Control of Corruption is one of the World Bank Governance Indicators (WGIs) as curbing corruption is now widely considered to be vital for successful development. Internet and mobile phones do impact corruption, especially in the case of the first corruption variable tested— Informal Payments to Public Officials— but it is hard to make a case that there is a strong statistical relationship across multiple measures. The measures by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) are considered the most reliable international data on ICT penetration. As elucidated by Rodríguez Franco Venezuela reflects a situation in which government measures against open government and accountability proactively restrain the potential of ICT to positively impact governance in that country.
