What is it about?
This paper seeks to understand the role of the Internet and information and communications technology (ICT) in potential democratic movements. We propose an ecological model of technological development and democratization which recognizes that change can occur (1) at individual as well as social levels; (2) on a continuum from oppression to freedom; and (3) in multiple social spheres. Using case studies from China, we suggest that ICT might facilitate democracy on account of its potential transformations and efficiencies in terms of individuals’ relationships to knowledge and information; governments; persons, groups, and nongovernmental organizations; and work and traditional social roles.
Featured Image
Photo by Arnaud Jaegers on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Democracies are under threat all over the world. We analyze how information and communication technology and social media can combat threats to democracy and even work to develop democratic movements and institutions where they are lacking or repressed.
Perspectives
This article helped launch a whole program of research on the global development of 12 multidisciplinary applied, local-level community-focused professional and research fields, including Community Development, Community Psychology, Community Sociology, Community Social Work, Applied/Development Anthropology, Development Economics, Public Health, Urban/Regional Planning/Geography, Public Administration/Policy Studies, Adult Community/Popular Education, Liberation Theology/faith-based community development studies, and interdisciplinary community research and action.
Douglas Perkins
Vanderbilt University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Technological Democratization: The Potential Role of ICT in Social and Political Transformation in China and Beyond, Perspectives on Global Development and Technology, January 2012, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/15691497-12341236.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
