The Deepening Divide: Inequality in the Information Society

[PAGE V: BEGIN TOC.] Contents 1. Introduction A digital divide: the agenda The pitfalls of a metaphor Reframing the digital divide 2. A Framework to Understand the Digital Divide A relational view on inequality Relational and individualistic views of inequality The core argument Central concepts A framework model and future research 3. Motivational Access Introduction The have-nots and the want-nots Intermittent users, drop-outs, evaders and the truly unconnected Reasons to (not) get access Conclusions 4. Material Access Introduction Widening and narrowing physical access gaps Projections of the evolution of the digital divide Conclusions 5. Skills Access Introduction Operational skills Information skills Strategic skills Why practice is more important than courses Conclusions 6. Usage Access Introduction Properties of ICT (hardware and software) Properties of ICT (content) A survey of computer and Internet use Explanations of differential usage access The Matthew effect and the rise of usage gaps Conclusions 7. Inequality in the Information Society Introduction What is an information society? Information as a primary good Information as a positional good Information as a source of skills Conclusions 8. Inequality in the Network Society Introduction What is a network society? Networks and social inequality Networks at work Networks in education Networks in social life Networks in households Conclusions 9. The Stakes: Participation or Exclusion Introduction Economic participation Educational participation Social participation Spatial participation Cultural participation Political participation Institutional participation Conclusions 10. Policy Perspectives The digital divide as a comprehensive social problem A background of rising general inequality The digital divide in Northern America, Europe, Eastern Asia and the Third World Policy instruments to close the digital divide References Index About the Author.