On the Nature and Characteristics of Information-based Economy

In the recent economic documents, such terminological terms as knowledge-based economy, information-based economy and cyber economy have been frequently used. However, it is still controversial as how to define the category, the connotation and the extended meaning of the three. It may be of reference value to conduct our discussion by taking such aspects into consideration: the origin of information-based economy, the nature of information-based economy and the characteristics that differ information-based economy from other forms of economy. Only in this way can we have a better understanding of the category and connotation of information-based economy, cyber economy and knowledge-based economy.