Theories of the Information Society

ISBN-13: 9780415718790 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 404 str.

Frank Webster

Opis

Information is regarded as a distinguishing feature of our world. Where once economies were built on industry and conquest, we are now part of a global information economy. Pervasive media, expanding information occupations and the development of the Internet convince many that living in an Information Society is the destiny of us all. Coping in an era of information flows, of virtual relationships and breakneck change poses challenges to one and all. In this book, Frank Webster sets out to make sense of the information explosion, taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the Information Society, and critically examining the major post-war approaches to informational development.

Recenzje

"For those who spend the time, the wealth of material can help them understand how information is shaping, in [Webster's] view, capitalistic democracy. Fortunately, his style is easily accessible..."— Tom Warren, STC, Technical Communication

Spis treści

1. Introduction  2. Definitions  3. Quality  4. Post-Industrial Society: Daniel Bell  5. Regulation School  6. Network Society: Manuel Castells  7. Mobilities  8. Information and the Market System: Herbert Schiller  9. Information and Democracy 1: Jürgen Habermas, the Public Sphere and Public Service Institutions  10. Information and Democracy 2: Friedrich Hayek and the neo-Hayekians  11. Information, Reflexivity and Surveillance: Anthony Giddens  12. Information and Postmodernity  13. Beyond the Information Society.  Bibliography

O autorze

Frank Webster has been Professor of Sociology at Oxford Brookes University, the University of Birmingham and City University London.