Digital Divide: Civic Engagement, Information Poverty, and the Internet Worldwide (Communication, Society and Politics)
Cambridge University Press
Edition: Illustrated, 9/24/2001
EAN 9780521807517, ISBN10: 0521807514
Hardcover, 320 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
There is widespread concern that the growth of the Internet is exacerbating inequalities between the information rich and poor. Digital Divide examines access and use of the Internet in 179 nations world-wide. A global divide is evident between industrialized and developing societies. A social divide is apparent between rich and poor within each nation. Within the online community, evidence for a democratic divide is emerging between those who do and do not use Internet resources to engage and participate in public life. Part I outlines the theoretical debate between cyber-optimists who see the Internet as the great leveler. Part II examines the virtual political system and the way that representative institutions have responded to new opportunities on the Internet. Part III analyzes how the public has responded to these opportunities in Europe and the United States and develops the civic engagement model to explain patterns of participation via the Internet.
Part I. Introductory Framework
1. The digital divide
2. Understanding the digital divide
wired world
3. Social inequalities
Part II. The Virtual Political System
4. Theories of digital democracy
5. e-governance
6. Online parliaments
7. Virtual parties
8. Civic society
Part III. The Democratic Divide
9. Cyberculture
10. Digital engagement
11. Conclusions
promoting digital democracy.