The Deepening Divide; Inequality in the

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.

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

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The Deepening Divide; Inequality in the Information Society

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