Media and New Capitalism in the Digital Age

The Spirit of Networks
2010. Auflage 2013
ISBN: 978-1-137-31081-1
Verlag: Palgrave MacMillan Us

Buch, Englisch, 259 Seiten, Format (B × H): 139 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 335 g

This book explores the new terrain of network capitalism through the transformations of the discourse on technology. Rather than viewing such discourse as either a true or false reflection of reality, Fisher evaluates the ideological role that technology discourse plays in the legitimation of a new form of capitalism. Based on an extensive empirical analysis, the book argues that contemporary technology discourse at one and the same time promises more personal empowerment through network technology and legitimates a more privatized, flexible, and precarious economic constellations. Such discourse signals a new tradeoff in the political culture of capitalism, from a legitimation discourse which emphasizes the capacity of technology and technique to bring about social emancipation (through equality, stability, and security) to a legitimation discourse which focuses on the capacity of technology to bring about individual emancipation (through individual empowerment, authenticity, creativity, and cooperation). Contrary to the prevailing assumption that sees network technology as liberating from the rigidity and pitfalls of a stifling, Fordist capitalism, the book offers a theoretical framework which sees contemporary technology discourse as an ideology that legitimates the economic, social, and political arrangements of the new capitalism.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Fisher, E.

Fachgebiete

• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Wirtschaftssektoren & Branchen Wirtschaftssektoren & Branchen: Allgemeines
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein
• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Medienwissenschaften
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft | Kulturwissenschaften Kulturwissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: Technology discourse and capitalist legitimation * Capitalism, technology, and the digital discourse * Contemporary technology discourse * Network market * Network work * Network production * Network Human * Network cosmology and the exhaustion of critique * Networks as the techno-political culture of post-Fordism

Über Autor(innen)

Eran Fisher is an Assistant Professor at the Open University of Israel. He is also the co-editor (with Tova Benski) of (2013).