Social transformations have taken place all over the world in the last few decades of this century. These social transformations have been diverse yet inclusive of cultures, institutions, and historical trends. A consequence manifest of these social transformations is that most societies are affected in a fundamental way. These social transformations are a new type of social structure known as the network society.(1)
We exist in a technological paradigm centered around the microcomputer,‘microelectronics, and communications information technologies. Despite the limitations of geography, resources, and infrastructure development, people all over the world have continued to use computers to write and learn, and compound in their education and contribution to society in the use of communications information technologies and other microelectronics.(2) Real life examples of such transformations in the use of new technologies include the television, the microwave, the telephone, and even the networked computers that we use to compose texts and email messages on networked drives. The significance of this lies in that the use of such technologies makes us efficient, better organized, and more productive towards objectives and goals.
Knowledge and information played a central role in the culture of all societies.
Knowledge and learning which incorporates subjects and concepts of the arts and social sciences is a philosophy.(3) People pursue knowledge in order to be rid of ignorance, be better informed. In turn, this results in efficiency and organization. Seeking knowledge and wisdom. In order to understand values and reality also correlates with human progress and social development. Inquiry and analysis are a means towards determination in seeking this knowledge. (4) What is new and central to our new technological paradigm and the new type of social structure in the network society is a new set of information technologies.
These information technologies include readily available data from internet sources, social media consumers compartmentalized by interests groups, and other info sharing networks which provide file sharing and incorporate collective project work in various departments. This is magnanimous in nature as a social transformation in that these information technologies represent a greater change in the history of technologies than even the technologies associated with the Industrial Revolution or the previous revolution with the advent of the print press. (5)
We are only at the beginning of this technological revolution given that the internet and its related technologies continue to compound in development and use in being a universal tool of interactive communication. (6) Nearly all of the work done by public and private organizations throughout the world on any matter is done on networked computers. Such work is done individually and collectively towards common goals. File sharing with team members and network connectivity allows for this to happen seamlessly. In effect, these technologies are self—expanding mediums of learning with exponential production and enhancement of knowledge. (7)
The era that we exist in is the beginning of a technological revolution. Our economy
came about as a consequence of the industrial revolution. The internet and its related
technologies continue to compound in development and use in being a universal tool of interactive communication. As such, our economy intersects with this technological revolution in the internet being a universal tool of communication.(8) This network society economy is characterized by a few fundamental features.(9) Our capacity to store, process, and use information to generate knowledge goes towards productivity and competitiveness in various and diverse economic units. In turn, we have substantial growth in most advanced economies.Another critical feature of the new economy is that it is global in correlation and intersection.Powered by the internet as a technological revolution has allowed for the capacity of work to be simultaneous as a functional planetary unit in real-time.(10)
Financial markets, science and technology, sale and trade of goods worldwide, advanced business services, communication media, production firms and related networks, and skilled labor works are all core activities that make up the functional components of a modern advanced economy in the network society.(11) Despite that jobs are local, work is driven by globalization in linking up dominant interests wherever they exist in the world. As such, socioeconomic value is based on dominant interests and global supply and demand. This brand of capitalism is one wherein the rules of investment, accumulation, and reward are dynamic in value. Such rules are about people, firms, resources, and territories. The whole planet therefore is capitalist in this economy.(12)
References
1. Castells, M., “Materials for An Exploratory Theory of The Network Society’, British Journal of Sociology, V.51(1),pp.5-24, 2000, London School of Economics.
2. Ibid.
3. Khawaja, M., “Philosophy and Ethics”, Lambert Academic Publishing, OmniScript Publishing Group, 2023, pg.9,10.
4. Ibid.
5. Castells, M., “Materials for An Exploratory Theory of The Network Society’, pp.5-24.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Khawaja, M., “A World Community, Diversity in Cultures and Values”, Lambert Academic Publishing, OmniScript Publishing Group, 2024, pg. 47- 49.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12 Ibid.
Mohammad Momin Khawaja is a Sociologist and a Journalist: Member of the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) and Member of the International Center for Journalism – ICFJ Global Network, Washington, D.C. USA. A graduate of Laurentian University in Sociology, he writes on current issues of cultural studies, social justice, criminology, philosophy,history and problems of indigenous social welfare system and human development. He is author of numerous publications including, Women in the Ancient World (Lambert Academic Publication, 2023), Philosophy and Ethics; and A World Community: Diversity in Cultures and Values (2024), and Women in Ancient Cultures (Lulu Press Inc. USA), 2025. He recently published: “North American Colonization of Indigenous People, Cultures and System of Social Welfare.” :https://www.uncommonthought.com/mtblog/archives/2023/05/26/north-american-colonization-of-indigenous-people-cultures-and-system-of-social-welfare.php.
