Coping in an era of information flows, of virtual relationships and breakneck change poses challenges to one and all. 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 post-war theories and approaches to informational development. This third edition brings the book right up to date with both new theoretical work and, social and technological changes (such as the rapid growth of the Internet and accelerated globalization), reassessing 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.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. What is an Information Society? 3. Post-Industrial Society: Daniel Bell 4. Regulation School Theory 5. Network Society: Manuel Castells 6. Information and the Market 7. Information and Democracy: Jurgen Habermas 8. Information, Reflexivity and Surveillance: Anthony Giddens 9. Information and Postmodernity 10. The Information Society?

Author Biography

City University, UK