Editing Manuel Castells (section)

==== Informationalism ====

Castells' concepts of The [[Information Age]], The Age of Consumption, and The Network Society are all perspectives attempting to describe modern life as it is known in the present and to depict the future of society. As Castells suggests, contemporary society may be described as "replacing the antiquated metaphor of the ''machine'' with that of the ''network''".{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} Put simply, this quote exemplifies Castells' concept of “Informationalism.” He asserts that from the 1970s to the present day, informational technology has allowed large businesses, organizations, and social structures in general to form global networks. The world is growing away from [[industrialism]], which is focused on economic growth. Informationalism strives to develop knowledge and create massive networks. This theory is, of course, related to the growth of [[capitalism]]. As networks grow larger, the state gradually plays a smaller role in the capitalist system. Common systems of information have begun to replace it. They act as a connector between networks that may very likely be on opposite sides of the globe.<ref>Stevenson, Nick. 2003. “Manuel Castells.” Pp.92 in Key Contemporary Social Theorists, edited by Anthony Elliott and Larry Ray. Blackwell Publishers Ltd.</ref>

It is important to note, however, that this development does not come without some level of exclusion. For certain areas of the globe that are not as connected with mainstream society and massive international networks, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep pace with the expansion of capitalism. Excluded communities respond by developing their own systems, which are often based in illicit economic activity.<ref>Stevenson, Nick. 2003. “Manuel Castells.” Pp.92–93 in Key Contemporary Social Theorists, edited by Anthony Elliott and Larry Ray. Blackwell Publishers Ltd.</ref> These illicit economic activities illustrate another of Castells' points, that resistance to globalization is a result of the development of the information age. He explains this using an example:

<blockquote>Well, if I have no value for these global networks of power, finance, technology, then I build my own value, my own system. I build my family. I build my nation. I build my God. And, if I am not listened to, then I will become more and more enraged.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/fXrhoESrU1c Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191109113302/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXrhoESrU1c Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=The Technology Revolution: Manuel Castells |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXrhoESrU1c |website=Youtube.com | date=30 March 2018 |access-date=19 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref></blockquote>