Networked Global Society

Question 1

Define networks

Answer 1

Direct and indirect connections that link people together, allows for social mobility, new opportunities (e.g. new jobs)

Question 2

Mark Granovetter (1973)

Answer 2

• he states that there is an advantage in strong ties, specially among professionals looking for job opportunities through connections. Unfortunately lower class may not have those connections
• globalisation has changed how people connect and find opportunities. People now rely on the internet, rather than in real life connections, for creating work based relationships as well as finding and applying for jobs (e.g. indeedJob and linkedin)

Question 3

Networked global society - Castells

Answer 3

• the networked global society is linked to Marxist ideas
• those with access to the internet creat social networks, which can result in greater employability and hierarchical status
• having connections with people globally can lead to social capital e.g. linked in

Question 4

What does castells phrase ‘the internet allows for decentralisation of control’ means?

Answer 4

• means that the activities and decisions made on the internet are distributed among people, they have free will (rather than decisions made by a central group)
  This is happens as people have control over their own social media accounts and profiles, so they can form their own identity

Question 5

How does castells idea of global networks link to Marxist ideas?

Answer 5

Castells states that power rests in networks made up of financially powered people who have a chance of social mobility.
This means hat people from the working class have nothing to offertory these coral networks, so they are excluded. This emphasises the class divide in society, prevents social mobility for the working class.