Defining information: An approach for policymakers

approaches to defining 'information' are politically problematic. All decisionmaking concerns can be incorporated in, and the definitional dilemma resolved with, a hierarchy of four categories of definitions that increase in scope and complexity of the social structure to which they are applied as well as the amount of power granted information. These categories of information are as a resource, commodity, perception of pattern, and constitutive force in society. The first, deepest and standard· setting analysis of any issue must be made defining information as a constitutive force in society. Other defini· tions may be used at the second and subsequent stages of analysis as appropriate.