What is infrastructure?

After having pointed out the diverse uses of the term infrastructure in the literature on the market-economy, the different categories of infrastructure will be described. The argument in this context is that the classification of infrastructure suggested by Jochimsen has proved useful: institutional, personal, and material infrastructure. On this basis a concept for the definition of infrastructure will be developed. The hitherto taken approach to understanding infrastructure, especially material infrastructure, mainly referring to the attributes of infrastructure, will be rejected. Rather it will be attempted to characterize infrastructure by its essential functions. We then may discuss the development-theoretic implications of infrastructure. Finally, infrastructure policy will be introduced in relation to institutional, material and personal infrastructure.