Manuel Castells is famous for his triptic “Network Society” in which he summarized the broad hopes for a new (and improved) global society powered by information technology. (While, at the same time, pointing to the weak spots of this techno-driven version of globalization). While at times strongly techno-determinist and quite eclectic, mixing freely Marx with Weber, Castells is always provocative and interesting to read despite a florid style. This snipped is from a report he presented to a South African higher education organization. In it he summarized the most important issues of the global, post 1960 era.
CHET – Castell’s Book
This report examines the social implications of new information and communication technologies in their interaction with social and economic structures, and cultural and political processes, on the basis of available evidence from around the world. It shows the emergence of a new form of social and business organization, based upon networks, tooled by communication technologies. It documents that new technologies do not cause mass unemployment, but, instead, fundamentally change labor relations and the work process, inducing flexible arrangements, and the individualization of work. In this new production system education is the key element in making possible for societies, and individuals, to reap the benefits of technology. However, increasing computer equipment is not the answer, as schools must be reformed, and pedagogy transformed to be apt to the task of educating creative, flexible, autonomous individuals. Internet does not induce a new, virtual society. Rather, it expands, and develops, existing social networks, as it helps to perform the tasks and express the affinities of those engaged in electronic communication. Empirical evidence points towards a dramatic increase in inequality and social exclusion throughout the world. Finally, the report explores the role of new technologies in transforming space and time.