Theories of the Information Society (The International Library of Sociology)

Information has come to be regarded as a symbol of the age in which we live. Talk nowadays is of an `information technology' revolution, even of an `information society'. But just what does this mean? In Theories of the Information Society Frank Webster sets out to make sense of the information explosion. He examines and assesses a variety of `images of the information society', and takes a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they do refer to an `information society'. He looks closely at different approaches to informational developments, and provides critical commentaries on all the major post-war theories. This Book Sets Out To Examine And Assess The Variety Of Theories Of Information In Society Currently Available. Frank Webster Sceptically Examines What Thinkers Mean By An Information Society, And Looks Closely At Different Approaches To Informational Developments. He Provides Critical Commentaries On The Major Postwar Theories: Daniel Bell's Ideas On A Post-industrial Information Society, Anthony Giddens' Thoughts On The Growth Of Surveillance And The Expansion Of The Nation State, Herbert Schiller's Insistence That Information Both Expresses And Consolidates The Interests Of Corporate Capitalism: Jurgen Habermas' Account Of The Diminishment Of The Public Sphere; Jean Baudrillard's Thoughts On Postmodernism And Information, And Manuel Castells' Depiction Of The 'informational City'. Each Theorisation Is Subjected To Close Scrutiny And Is Tested Against Empirical Evidence To Assess Its Worth. The Author Concludes That, While There Has Undoubtedly Been An Information Explosion, It Is Premature To Conceive Of An Information Society. We Should Rather Emphasise The 'informatisation' Of Established Relations. Introduction -- Information And The Idea Of An Information Society -- The Information Society As Post-industrialism : Daniel Bell -- Information, The Nation State And Surveillance : Anthony Giddens -- Information And Advanced Capitalism : Herbert Schiller -- Information Management And Manipulation : Jürgen Habermas And The Decline Of The Public Sphere -- Information And Restructuring : Beyond Fordism? -- Information And Postmodernism -- Information And Urban Change : Manuel Castells -- Conclusion. Frank Webster. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Popular opinion suggests that information has become a distinguishing feature of the modern world. Where once economies were built on industry and conquest, we are now instead said to be part of a global information economy. In the first edition of Theories of the Information Society Frank Webster set 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 all the major post-war theories and approaches to informational development. In this new and thoroughly revised edition the author brings his study right up to date both with new theoretical work and with social and technological changes - such as the rapid growth of the Internet and accelerated globalisation - and reassesses the work of key theorists in light of these changes." "This book will be essential reading for students of contemporary social theory and anybody interested in social and technological change in the post-war era."--BOOK JACKET. Webster Sets Out To Make Sense Of The Information Explosion. He Looks Closely At The Different Approaches To Informational Developments And Provides Critical Commentaries On All Major Post-war Theorists. It is commonplace to describe societies with terms such as 'capitalism', 'feudalism', 'industrialism', 'socialism', 'authoritarianism' and 'totalitarianism'.