Theories of the Information Society

In this new and thoroughly revised edition, the author brings his work 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 re-assesses 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.Information is a distinguishing feature of the modern world. Where once economies were built on industry and conquest, we are now part of a global information economy. Pervasive media, burgeoning information occupations and the development of the Internet convince many that living in an Information Society is the destiny of us all. Information's presence appears evident everywhere, from daily interaction in postmodern styles to the waging of Information War, from information intensive labour to the iPOD. Coping in an era of information flows, of virtual relationships and breakneck change appears to pose challenges to one and all. 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 post-war theories and approaches to informational development. This third edition brings the book 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 globalization) and reassesses the work of key theorists in light of these changes. This book is essential reading for students of contemporary social theory and anybody interested in social and technological change in the post-war era. It addresses issues of central concern to students of Sociology, Politics, Communications, Information Science, Cultural Studies, Computing and Librarianship.