ABSTRACT
This book provides an in-depth comparative analysis of inequality and the stratification of the digital sphere.
Grounded in classical sociological theories of inequality, as well as empirical evidence, this book defines ‘the digital divide’ as the unequal access and utility of internet communications technologies and explores how it has the potential to replicate existing social inequalities, as well as create new forms of stratification. The Digital Divide examines how various demographic and socio-economic factors including income, education, age and gender, as well as infrastructure, products and services affect how the internet is used and accessed. Comprised of six parts, the first section examines theories of the digital divide, and then looks in turn at:
- Highly developed nations and regions (including the USA, the EU and Japan);
- Emerging large powers (Brazil, China, India, Russia);
- Eastern European countries (Estonia, Romania, Serbia);
- Arab and Middle Eastern nations (Egypt, Iran, Israel);
- Under-studied areas (East and Central Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa).
Providing an interwoven analysis of the international inequalities in internet usage and access, this important work offers a comprehensive approach to studying the digital divide around the globe. It is an important resource for academic and students in sociology, social policy, communication studies, media studies and all those interested in the questions and issues around social inequality.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|37 pages
Theories of the digital divide
chapter 1|12 pages
The reproduction and reconfiguration of inequality
part 2|51 pages
Section 2 Highly developed nations and regions
part 3|60 pages
Rapidly developing large nations — the BRIC nations
chapter 8|13 pages
The digital divide in India
chapter 9|18 pages
The digital divide in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
part 4|42 pages
Eastern Europe
chapter 10|12 pages
The Internet and digital divide in South Eastern Europe
chapter 11|14 pages
Closing the gap, are we there yet?
part 5|44 pages
The Middle East region
chapter 14|15 pages
Explaining digital inequalities in Israel
chapter 15|14 pages
An analysis of the second-level digital divide in Iran
part 6|58 pages
Under-studied countries and regions