The ethics and economics of IT

ABSTRACT This paper argues for the recognition of the ethical dimension in the use of IT to promote economic development. It analyzes four areas in which the spread of new technologies are having an impact on individual and community life-unemployment., delinquent and criminal behaviour, smart weapons, and citizenship-inan attempt to establish that IT is too important to be left to politicians and business people. Instead it should be treated as a matter of great relevance and decision for the whole of society.