Digital Divide| Examining Internet Use Through a Weberian Lens

Authors

  • Grant Blank Oxford Internet Institute
  • Darja Groselj Oxford Internet Institute

Keywords:

Max Weber, class, status, power, Internet use, stratification, Internet activity, amount, variety, types

Abstract

Research on Internet use typically has been concerned with issues of access or activities people do online. This research has been fruitful, but it has not been fully linked to larger theories of stratification. Although Max Weber says little about technology, his general approach to studying society suggests concepts other than access and demographics will be important. From his perspective, the primary sources of social stratification are class, status, and power. As the Internet has become more important, it has moved to a steadily more central position in the stratification system. Thus, it is important to look at Internet use through a Weberian lens, asking how class, status, and power help explain who participates in what online activities.

Author Biographies

Grant Blank, Oxford Internet Institute

Survey Research Fellow

Darja Groselj, Oxford Internet Institute

PhD studentJuly 2014

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Published

2015-08-13

Issue

Vol. 9 (2015)

Section

Special Sections

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