The Deepening Divide; Inequality in the Information Society

by Jan A. G. M. van Dijk

• ISBN13: 9781412904032
• ISBN10: 141290403X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-15
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

The Deepening Divide: Inequality in the Information Society explains why the digital divide is still widening and, in advanced high-tech societies, deepening. Taken from an international perspective, the book offers full coverage of the literature and research and a theoretical framework from which to analyze and approach the issue. Where most books on the digital divide only describe and analyze the issue, Jan van Dijk presents 26 policy perspectives and instruments designed to close the divide itself.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction	1	(8)
A Digital Divide: The Agenda	1	(2)
The Pitfalls of a Metaphor	3	(3)
Reframing the Digital Divide	6	(3)
2. A Framework for Understanding the Digital Divide	9	(18)
A Relational View of Inequality	9	(5)
Relational and Individualistic Views of Inequality	9	(2)
Benefits of the Relational View	11	(2)
Problems of the Relational View	13	(1)
The Core Argument	14	(3)
Central Concepts	17	(6)
Categorical Inequalities	17	(1)
Resources and Mechanisms of Distribution	18	(2)
Successive Kinds of Access	20	(2)
Properties of ICT (Hardware, Software, and Content)	22	(1)
Fields of Participation in Society	23	(1)
A Framework Model and Future Research	23	(4)
A Causal and Sequential Model of Access	23	(2)
Priorities of Future Research	25	(2)
3. Motivational Access	27	(18)
Introduction	27	(1)
The Have-Nots and the Want-Nots	28	(3)
Intermittent Users, Dropouts, Evaders, and the Truly Unconnected	31	(4)
Intermittent Users	33	(1)
Dropouts	33	(1)
Net Evaders	34	(1)
The Truly Unconnected	35	(1)
Reasons to (Not) Get Access	35	(8)
Resources and Motivation	35	(4)
Positional Categories and Motivation	39	(1)
Personal Categories and Motivation	40	(3)
Conclusions	43	(2)
4. Material Access	45	(26)
Introduction	45	(3)
Types and Places of Material Access	48	(1)
Widening and Narrowing Physical Access Gaps	49	(12)
Material, Mental, and Social Resources	52	(2)
Positional Categories	54	(5)
Personal Categories	59	(2)
Projections of the Evolution of the Digital Divide	61	(5)
Problems of Mainstream Diffusion Theory	62	(3)
Normalization and Stratification Models of Diffusion	65	(1)
Conclusion: The Shifting Divide	66	(5)
5. Skills Access	71	(24)
Introduction	71	(4)
Concepts of Computer Skills	71	(3)
Contents of This Chapter	74	(1)
Operational Skills	75	(6)
Explanation of Operational Skill Divides	79	(2)
Information Skills	81	(7)
Formal Information Skills	82	(2)
Substantial Information Skills	84	(3)
Information Skill Divides	87	(1)
Strategic Skills	88	(2)
Strategic Skill Divides	89	(1)
Why Practice Is More
Important Than Formal Education	90	(2)
Conclusions	92	(3)
6. Usage Access	95	(36)
Introduction	95	(11)
Properties of ICT (Hardware and Software)	96	(6)
Properties of ICT (Content)	102	(4)
A Survey of Computer and Internet Use	106	(10)
Actual Use	107	(1)
Usage Time	107	(3)
Usage Diversity	110	(3)
Broadband Use	113	(2)
Creative Usage	115	(1)
Explanations of Differential Usage Access	116	(9)
Resources and Usage Access	116	(5)
Positional Categories and Usage Access	121	(4)
The "Matthew Effect" and the Rise of Usage Gaps	125	(4)
Causes and Characteristics of Usage Gaps	127	(2)
Conclusions	129	(2)
7. Inequality in the Information Society	131	(14)
Introduction	131	(1)
What Is an Information Society?	132	(3)
Information as a Primary Good	135	(3)
Information as a Positional Good	138	(2)
Information as a Source of Skills	140	(2)
Conclusions	142	(3)
8. Inequality in the Network Society	145	(18)
Introduction	145	(1)
What Is a Network Society?	146	(1)
Networks and Social (In)Equality	147	(5)
Connectivity	147	(1)
Flat Structure	147	(1)
Selection and Competition	148	(1)
Variation and Differentiation	149	(1)
Unequal Distribution of Positions and Positional Goods	150	(2)
Differential Mobility and Speed	152	(1)
Networks at Work	152	(3)
Networks in Education	155	(2)
Networks in Social Life	157	(2)
Networks in Households	159	(1)
Conclusions	160	(3)
9. The Stakes: Participation or Exclusion	163	(18)
Introduction	163	(4)
The Potential Stakes	164	(2)
The Stakes Highlighted in This Book	166	(1)
Economic Participation	167	(3)
Educational Participation	170	(1)
Social Participation	171	(1)
Spatial Participation	172	(1)
Cultural Participation	173	(1)
Political Participation	174	(2)
Institutional Participation	176	(1)
Conclusions	177	(4)
10. Policy Perspectives	181	(38)
Introduction	181	(1)
The Digital Divide as a Comprehensive Social Problem	182	(5)
A Background of Rising General Inequality	187	(4)
The Digital Divide in North America, Europe, East Asia, and the Third World	191	(14)
North America	191	(4)
Europe	195	(2)
East Asia	197	(3)
The Third World	200	(5)
Policy Instruments for Closing the Digital Divide	205	(14)
Motivational Access	206	(3)
Material Access	209	(3)
Skills Access	212	(2)
Usage Access	214	(5)
References	219	(14)
Index	233	(7)
About the Author	240