The Future of the Network Society: Reflections of Manuel Castells and van Dijk on the Network Society

Authors : Javid Zeynalov

Pages : 57-72

Doi:10.58724/assam.1796523

View : 113 | Download : 283

Publication Date : 2025-12-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study examines how digitalization transforms social structures within the theoretical framework of Manuel Castells’ and van Dijk’s Network Society theories. The rapid development of information and communication technologies has reshaped individuals’ social, economic, and cultural lives. According to Castells, the network society represents a new form in which the production and circulation of information are placed at the center of social organization. Van Dijk, on the other hand, highlights the potential of this structure to deepen digital inequalities. Both theorists emphasize that the network society is not merely a technological transformation but also a sociocultural one. The study employs descriptive content analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, as its methodological approach. Within this scope, it discusses how digitalization transforms individuals’ modes of virtual existence, perceptions of time and space, and forms of social participation. The findings indicate that the network society has become a multidimensional vehicle of transformation from economic production to cultural representation yet may exacerbate global inequalities if the digital divide is not addressed. In conclusion, the article comparatively analyzes Castells’ and van Dijk’s theoretical perspectives, offering a holistic evaluation of the opportunities and risks concerning the future of the network society.
Keywords : Dijitalleşme, Teknoloji, Ağ Toplumu, Manuel Castells, van Dijk

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