This article addresses the conditions of developing countries which must be taken into account in developing information strategies for their public and educational institutions or projects. Its central argument is that newer information science concepts, although they demand technological and conceptual sophistication, can be useful in the transition from an information-poor society toward information richness; however, they have to compete in practice with a continuing flood of modern and less demanding concepts which lead towards the traps of a poor-information society, or a society with information, but without the power or decision-making effectiveness that should go with it. To demonstrate this point, 24 design principles for information strategies obtained directly from recent experience in the public sector and universities in 20 Latin American countries are enumerated. These principles are proposed as specifications for technical cooperation with Third World countries in general. Additional information is provided in 11 endnotes. (KM)