Technology and Social Poer [Hardcover]

Technology permeates almost every dimension of our lives. But who controls technological development? Can technology cause social inequality? And how will technology continue to affect lives in the digital era?

Technology and Social Power provides a fresh examination of the role of technology in our society. Bringing together critical, classical and contemporary social theories, it fully examines everything you need to know about the sociology of technology. From the invention of the modern toothbrush to the design of Google, the book uses relevant examples to give useful insights into the social dimension of everyday technology. With clear definitions of key terms alongside a well-balanced approach to the most important empirical and theoretical work in the field, this book provides a clear and thorough account of the subject.

Making complex ideas accessible, it is invaluable reading for all students seeking to understand the role of technology in our society today, and its likely impact in the future.

Technology and Social Power.- The Meaning of Technology.- Technological Modernity.- Technology and Domination.- Limits of Social Construction.- Technology as Culture.- Digital Technical Politics.

GRAEME KIRKPATRICK is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Manchester, UK. He has published articles on technology and society in a variety of journals. His co-edited volume, Historical Materialism and Social Evolution, was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2003. He is also author of Critical Technology, which won the 2005 Philip Abrams Prize from the British Sociological AssociationTechnology permeates almost every dimension of our lives. But who controls technological development? Can technology cause social inequality? And how will technology continue to affect lives in the digital era?

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