{"product_id":"the-fifth-estate-the-power-shift-of-the-digital-age-oxford-studies-digital-politics-series-9780190688363","title":"The Fifth Estate The Power Shift of the Digital Age OXFORD STUDIES DIGITAL POLITICS SERIES","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the eighteenth century, the printing press enabled the rise of an independent press--the Fourth Estate--that helped check the power of governments, business, and industry. In similar ways, the internet is forming a more independent collectivity of networked individuals, which William H. Dutton identifies as the Fifth Estate. Their network power is contributing to a more pluralist role of individuals in democratic political processes and society, which is not only shaping political accountability but nearly every sector of society. Yet a chorus of critics have dismissed the internet''s more democratic potentials, demonizing social media and user-generated-content as simply sources of fake news and populism. So, is the internet a tool for democracy or anarchy? In The Fifth Estate, Dutton uses estate theory to illuminate the most important power shift of the digital age. He argues that this network power shift is not only enabling greater democratic accountability in politics and gover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the most important book by Dutton, a leading scholar on the social dimensions of network technologies. It shows the reconfiguration of power in a multimodal digital communication environment. Essential reading for students, researchers, business leaders, and policymakers. * Manuel Castells, Wallis Annenberg Chair of Communication Technology and Society, University of Southern California *\u003cbr\u003eScholars have spent two decades trying to understand the internet's potential to transform societies. This compelling work, replete with rich examples, moves beyond narrow analysis of individuals, institutions, and innovations to argue for the emergence of a Fifth Estate through which networked individuals capitalize on digital tools to hold those in power to account. Only by understanding this potential can we make best use of it, meaning, ideally, everyone should read this book. * Victoria Nash, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford *\u003cbr\u003eThe concept of the Fifth Estate is simple but profound in its implications. In tracing the empowerment of interconnected individuals, Dutton restores lost optimism about the democratic potential of digital media. He provides a balanced analysis of societal trends, individual actions, and alarmist counter-restrictions by established institutions. Dutton's broad perspectives, gems of examples, and clear prose add up to a significant book whose central concept will leave its mark. * Eli Noam, Director of the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, Columbia University *\u003cbr\u003eRecommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. * Choice *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eList of Figures List of Tables List of Boxes Preface Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations and Acronyms  Introduction: Reconfiguring Informational and Communicative Power  Part I. The Foundations of the Fifth Estate  1. The Idea and Evidence of a Fifth Estate   2. Fifth Estate Theories of Distributed and Network Power  Part II. Fifth Estate Strategies   3. Searching    4. Originating  5. Networking  6. Collaborating  7. Leaking  Part III. Shaping the Future of the Fifth Estate  8. A Network Power Shift for Democracy and Society  9. Threats to the Fifth Estate  10. The Future of the Fifth Estate  Notes Bibliography Index","brand":"Oxford University Press Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51742119723351,"sku":"9780190688363","price":999.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780190688363.jpg?v=1758380587","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-fifth-estate-the-power-shift-of-the-digital-age-oxford-studies-digital-politics-series-9780190688363","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}