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Digital Divide? Civic Engagement, Information Poverty and the Internet NY: Cambridge University Press August 2001. www.pippanorris.com. I. Types of inequality in the wired world. Global divide Core v. peripheries Social divide Income/SES, generation, education, gender, race/ethnicity
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Digital Divide?Civic Engagement, Information Poverty and the InternetNY: Cambridge University Press August 2001 www.pippanorris.com
I. Types of inequality in the wired world • Globaldivide • Core v. peripheries • Social divide • Income/SES, generation, education, gender, race/ethnicity • Democratic divide • Equality in civic engagement
Structure • Theoretical debate: What are the causes & consequences of inequality in the wired world? • Evidence: Compare 179 nations worldwide • Conclusions and Policy Initiatives
I. Theoretical debate • Cyber-optimists • Predict ‘normalization’ of Internet pop. • Technological innovations • Market competition • State initiatives • Cyber-skeptics • Technology adapts to society not vice versa • Cyber-pessimists • Predict worsening inequalities of power and wealth
Data: • Data in 179 nations • % Online, PCs, etc. • Contents of websites 179 nations • Governments, parliaments, & parties • Surveys in EU and US • How do people use the Internet?
II: Current Evidence? • Global divide • Social divide • Democratic divide
II: Evidence? • Global divide • Social divide • Democratic divide
II: Evidence? • Global divide • Social divide • Democratic divide
Types of Parties OnlineClassified by % of parliamentary seats
Conclusions: • Global inequalities • Substantial & growing • Reflects long-term N-S divide • Social stratification • Widespread & unlikely to close in short-term • Democratic divide • Individual-level - activates the active • May empower challengers with know-how
Policy initiatives Closing the divide: • Access • Schools, community centers, libraries, cafes, village centers • Skills • Target populations, eg younger generation, unemployed, women, community leaders • Costs • Competition and deregulation in telecoms, ISP connections, servers • Democratization • Training and facilities for civic society: media, parties, groups • Leadership role for open government
Details: www.pippanorris.com Digital Divide CUP August 2001