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The Rise of the Network Society

Understanding the impact of the information age on society

Manuel Castells author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:2nd Oct '09

Should be back in stock very soon

The Rise of the Network Society cover

This influential work examines the emergence of a global network society, highlighting the impact of the information age on various societal aspects.

In The Rise of the Network Society, Manuel Castells explores the profound impact of the information age on contemporary society. Over a decade since its initial publication, the theories presented in this influential work have been largely validated. Castells offers a substantial new preface that contextualizes his ideas within the framework of significant global trends, illustrating how the network society has emerged as a dominant force on a worldwide scale.

The book delves into the economic and social dynamics that characterize the information age, emphasizing the transformative role of the internet and the net-economy. Castells meticulously examines how these elements have reshaped various aspects of life, from communication to commerce, and highlights the accelerating pace of innovation that has become a hallmark of modern existence. His research spans multiple regions, including the USA, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, providing a comprehensive view of the network society's influence across diverse cultures.

The Rise of the Network Society stands as a groundbreaking volume that not only captures the essence of the digital revolution but also serves as a critical resource for understanding the ongoing social transformations of our time. Castells' insights remain relevant as they continue to resonate with the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly interconnected world.

Reviews of the Second Edition:

"We live today in a period of intense and puzzling transformation, signalling perhaps a move beyond the industrial era altogether. Yet where are the great sociological works that chart this transition? Hence the importance of Manuel Castells' multivolume work, in which he seeks to chart the social and economic dynamics of the information age . . . [It] is bound to be a major reference source for years to come." (Anthony Giddens, The Times Higher Education Supplement)

"Adam Smith explained how capitalism worked, and Karl Marx explained why it didn't. Now the social and economic relations of the Information Age have been captured by Manuel Castells." (Wall Street Journal)

"So far, the person who has straddled the world of social theory and Silicon Valley most successfully is Manuel Castells. Castells enjoys a growing reputation as the first significant philosopher of cyberspace." (The Economist)

"A must-read." (Wired)

"This book goes a considerable way to helping us make sense of today's global information economy and our place in it." (Financial Times)

ISBN: 9781405196864

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 36mm

Weight: 953g

656 pages

2nd Edition, with a New Preface