Community Practice in the Network Society: Local Action / Global Interaction [Paperback]

Peter Day (Editor), Doug Schuler (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415301955 | ISBN-13: 978-0415301954 | Publication Date: October 1, 2004 | Edition: 1

Around the world, citizens in local communities are utilising ICTs to underpin the creation of a participatory and democratic vision of the network society. Embedded in the richness and diversity of community practice, a vision of a 'civil network society' is emerging. A society where ICTs are harnessed as tools to improve the quality of life and reflect the diversity of social networks; where people are viewed as citizens, not just as consumers, and where heterogeneity is perceived as a strength rather than a weakness.

Community Practice in the Network Society looks at the broad context in which this is happening, presents case studies of local projects from around the world, and discusses community ICT research methodologies. Not only does it highlight the symbiotic relationship between community ICT practice and research, but it also provides evidence supporting the case for the development of more inclusive and participatory pathways to the network society.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Day is Senior Lecturer at the School of Information Management at the University of Brighton. He is the co-author of the IBM/CDF sponsored "COMMIT Report" which critically evaluated UK cross-sectoral community ICT initiatives. He is a former chairperson of the Sussex Community Internet Project (SCIP) and is currently a steering group member of the Brighton and Hove 'Information and Communication Development' pilot project.

Doug Schuler is a former chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility and a member of the faculty of The Evergreen State College. He has been involved in the social implications of technology for nearly 20 years. He has published numerous articles and book chapters and has co-edited three books. His "New Community Networks" book published in 1996 and was hailed as innovative and indispensable.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415301955
• ISBN-13: 978-0415301954
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,828,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Like it or not, we all must rely on society's civic intelligence. The books that Douglas Schuler has written and the books that he's co-edited are devoted to the development of that elusive capability.

Although Doug's educational background focused on computer science, he has spent much of the past two decades looking at the opportunities and risks of information and communication systems in the social realm. Doug has given presentations around the world on democratic, equitable, and sustainable uses of technology. Locally, Doug co-founded the Seattle Community Network, an all-volunteer, free public access computer network. In 2008 Doug was awarded a Safeco Community Hero award for his work. Doug is a faculty member (Evening and Weekend Studies) at The Evergreen State College where he teaches interdisciplinary programs such as Community Information Systems and Global Citizenship.

Over the last eight years Doug coordinated an online, participatory "patterns language" for social change project. Doug and 85 co-authors developed 136 patterns for "Liberating Voices: A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution" which is being published by MIT Press. Doug is also the author of "New Community Networks," co-editor of six books, and author of numerous articles and book chapters. Doug is former chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, a public-interest organization concerned about the impact of computers on society, and organized 11 CPSR conferences. He is the director of the Public Sphere Project where he is working on projects such as e-Liberate, a web-based application that supports distributed meetings using Roberts Rules of Order. Doug is continuing to explore the idea of "civic intelligence," the collective capability of society to address its problems, with his teaching, learning, and organizing.