Abstract
This chapter explores the uses of information and communication technology, and of new media, in particular social media. We evaluate the claim that ICT democratises access to knowledge, allows for greater political engagement, improves literacy, and decreases poverty, all of which, it should be noted, were also claimed some 500 years ago for the printing press (see Chapter 5). Against this, we consider the argument that ICT can equally be used, by repressive regimes, to identify protesters, and by all regimes, to increase social control.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Global Structures, Local Cultures |
| Place of Publication | South Melbourne, Vic. |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Pages | 186-198 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Edition | 2nd |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780195588415 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780195520163 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |