This points to the more general issue of proper historical periodization, a prerequisite for historical specificity. Even if we follow Stone in ignoring the issue of the distinction between ancient and modern telecommunications, we cannot assume that modern telecommunications starts with telephony. Necessary as it is to retrieve this contrast, it is hardly sufficient to interpret it in isolation from other, antecedent and more lasting, similar contrasts in telecommunications. Finally, one is unclear as to whether the history of telecommunications was the historical rule or the historical exception. The professional political theorist would perhaps be more pleased with some additional emphasis on conceptual precision.
Stone assumes that the terms public, state, and government can be employed interchangeably.
He assumes the same for the terms private, market, and business firm. On the grounds of these assumptions, he frequently feels entitled to contrast any of the terms of the first set with any of the concepts of the second set. All rights reserved. This work may be copied for non-profit educational uses if proper credit is given to the author and the list. Published by EH.NET Sep 28, 1998.