Frank webster born 27 september 1950 is a british sociologist. This book sets out to examine and assess the variety of theories of information in society currently available. Popular opinion suggests that information has become a distinguishing feature of the modern world. Frank daniel webster 18661932, us army general in world war i. The term information society has been proposed to refer to the postindustrial society in which information plays a pivotal role. Where once economies were built on industry and conquest, we are now instead said to be part of a global information economy. Frank webster, whilst acknowledging this, sets out a critique of some key elements of castells analysis. In theories of the information society 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. Dec 17, 2003 the information society some thinkers have argued that information is becoming the key ordering principle in society, whereas others suggest that the rise of information has been overstated. From the information society to the virtual life, london.
Mar 18, 2014 in theories of the information society 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 postwar approaches to informational development. The fourth edition of this classic study brings it up to date. Jan 09, 2007 coping in an era of information flows, of virtual relationships and breakneck change poses challenges to one and all. An introduction to the information age manuel castells 11. Whatever the case, it cannot be denied that informization has produced vast changes in advanced societies. Mar 25, 2014 in theories of the information society 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 postwar approaches to informational development. Is this the information age towards a critique of manuel. There are numerous books and articles that have been written on this subject. Where once economies were built on industry and conquest, we are now part of a global information economy.
Information society theory as ideology nicholas garnham part 4. In the information society revisited, frank webster dissects and critiques the commonlyheld notion that we, as a society, have undergone an information revolution and are now living in an information society. Pdf manuel castells theory of information society as media. His critical writing on the information society has been translated into many languages, widely discussed and criticized. Theories of the information society by frank webster a. Theories of the information society 4th edition frank. Routledge, 1999, 307pp isbn 0 415 16116 9 pbk greg elmer convergence 2000 6. Apr 26, 2010 increasingly, information is regarded as a defining feature of the modem world, and it is commonplace to refer to countries such as the united states and britain as information societies.
Theories of the information society by frank webster a developing connection. The present article deals with one of the most elaborated theories of information society, proposed by manuel castells. In theories of the information society frank webster makes sense of the information explosion, taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the information society and critically examines the major postwar. Commentators are, however, strikingly vague about the criteria used to define either information or information societies. Theories of the information society 2nd edition by frank. Bridging the policy gap between the information society and sustainable development edited by terri willard and maja andjelkovic. In theories of the information society 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. Frank blake webster 18501922, ornithological publisher, taxidermist and natural history dealer frank daniel webster 18661932, us army general in world war i frank v. Webster, a pseudonym controlled by the stratemeyer. Read the fulltext online edition of theories of the information society 2002. Castells defines the present social landscape as the information age, in. Theories of the information society by frank webster.
Free ebook theories of the information society international library of sociology, by frank webster. This article briefly discusses various definitions and concepts of the socalled information society. The information society critical concepts in sociology editors introduction volume 1, information societies. Theories of the information society masaryk university. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. Its not simply that information is more widespread but that it is now crucial to how businesses and the economy function. In theories of the information society frank webster makes sense of the information explosion, taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the information society and critically examines the major postwar theories and approaches to informational development. Making sense of the information age frank webster a a department of sociology, city university, london, uk online publication date. Frank webster sceptically examines what thinkers mean by an information society, and looks closely at different approaches to informational developments. Webster, a pseudonym controlled by the stratemeyer syndicate, the first book packager of books aimed at children. The information society reader routledge student readers.
Just what sense to make of this has been a source of controversy. The process of receiving and of using information is the. In theories of the information society 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 postwar approaches to informational development. Information provides awareness, knowledge, and po wer. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Theories of the information society frank webster download.
What is the nature and role of information in our epoch. An information society may be contrasted with societies in which the economic underpinning is primarily industrial or agrarian. In theories of the information society frank webster makes sense of the information explosion, taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the information society and critically examines the major postwar theories and approaches to. History and perspectives information is a name for the content of what is exchanged with the outer world as we adjust to it, and make our adjustment felt upon it. Robin mansell the information society introduction to vol. In theories of the information society frank webster makes sense of the information explosion, taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the information society and critically examines the major postwar theories and approaches to informational. Theories of the information society by webster, frank ebook. Against this, when information is approached in common sense terms, that is, in terms of its meanings, then the prospects for an.
Theories of the information society 4th edition by frank webster and publisher routledge. Whatever the case, it cannot be denied that informization has produced vast. Pdf the information society by professor hiranya k. The information city, the new economy, and the network society manuel castells 12. Image of the future information society yoneji masuda 2. Theories of the information society, second edition. He provides critical commentaries on the major postwar theories.
Mar 21, 2014 in theories of the information society 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 postwar approaches to informational development. Theories of the information society pdf adobe drm can be read on any device that can open pdf adobe drm files. In theories of the information society frank webster makes sense of the information explosion, taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the information society and critically examines the major postwar theories and. In this new and thoroughly revised edition of his popular book, author webster brings his work uptodate both with new theoretical work and with social. Today, information society has transformed various facets of our life such as the fields of business, education and communication just to mention but a few. Theories of the information society isbn 9780415282017 pdf. Coping in an era of information flows, of virtual relationships and breakneck change poses challenges to one and all. Sep 01, 1995 coping in an era of information flows, of virtual relationships and breakneck change poses challenges to one and all. Theories of information society international library of. Commentators increasingly talk about information as a defining feature of the modern world. Join facebook to connect with frank webster and others you may know. Frank webster school of social sciences, oxford brookes university, oxford, ox3 7rj. Mar 06, 2011 in the information society revisited, frank webster dissects and critiques the commonlyheld notion that we, as a society, have undergone an information revolution and are now living in an information society. Pdf manuel castells theory of information society as.
Kevin robins and frank webster, times of the technoculture. Frank webster sociologist born 1950, british sociologist frank webster politician, australian politician frank blake webster 18501922, ornithological publisher, taxidermist and natural history dealer. Information society is a term for a society in which the creation, distribution, and manipulation of information has become the most significant economic and cultural activity. Manuel castells trilogy, the information age, is central to the attempt to answer these questions.
With a comprehensive introduction from frank webster, selections from manuel castells, anthony giddens, michel foucault and christopher lasch amongst others, and section introductions contextualising the readings, this book will be an invaluable resource for students and academics studying contemporary society and all things cyber. Webster takes issue with this conceptualization, and in his chapter, critiques this widelyheld belief and puts forth the argument. The information society reader 1st edition with raimo. Cyberspace and the american dream esther dyson, george gilder, george keyworth and alvin toffler. Much attention is now devoted to the informatization of social life.