Slide number 1 Digital Divide? Pippa Norris ~ Harvard University

Slide Number 2 Structure of talk I.Theoretical debate What are the causes & consequences of inequality in the wired world? II.Evidence 179 nations worldwide III.Conclusions

Slide Number 3 I. Theoretical debate Global divide Core v. peripheries Social divide Income/SES, generation, education, gender, race/ethnicity Democratic divide Equality in civic engagement

Slide Number 4 Theoretical debate Cyber-optimists Predict ‘normalization’ of Internet pop. Technological innovations, market competition, state initiatives Potential to revive mass political participation Cyber-skeptics Technology adapts to society not vice versa Predict ‘politics as usual’ Cyber-pessimists Predict global inequalities Greater social stratification Widens democratic gap

Technological Economic & Social Environment Resources Motivation Online Civic Engagement Macro-levelMeso-levelMicro-level Public NSMs Parties Media Executive Legislature Judiciary

Slide Number 6 Data National context Aggregate data technological diffusion in 179 nations –Online pop. and hosts Organizational-level Distribution and content of websites in 179 nations –Government departments, parliaments, & parties –Distribution of NGOs & news media Micro-level in postindustrial societies Attitudes & behavior –US surveys - Pew & NES –Eurobarometer surveys EU states

Slide Number 7 II: Evidence? 1)Global divide 2)Social divide 3)Democratic divide

Slide Number 8 How many online? Source:

Slide Number 9 Global Divide Source: % Population Online in Fall 2000, 179 nations,

Slide Number 10 Regional Divide Source: % Online Fall 2000,

Slide Number 11 European Divide Source: % Online, Eurobarometer, Nov-Dec 2000

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Slide Number 14 Spread of TVs Source UNESCO Yearbooks

Slide Number 15 Spread of Radios Source UNESCO Yearbooks

Slide Number 16 II: Evidence? 1)Global divide 2)Social divide 3)Democratic divide

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Slide Number 20 II: Evidence? 1)Global divide 2)Social divide 3)Democratic divide

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Slide Number 22 Distribution of Online Parties Source: Norris “ Digital Divide ”: Mean number of online parties, 179 nations, Fall 2000

Slide Number 23 Types of Parties Online Source: Norris “ Digital Divide ”: Mean number of online parties, 179 nations, Fall 2000

Slide Number 24 Types of Parties Online Source: Norris “ Digital Divide ”: Mean number of online parties, 179 nations, Fall 2000

Slide Number 25 Summary of Key Findings: I.Global inequalities Substantial & growing Reflects long-term N-S economic divisions II.Social stratification Widespread & unlikely to close in short-term III.Democratic divide More level playing field for organizations/parties/groups Activates the active Challenge to understand ‘Genoa generation’ and new forms of organization, mobilization and communication

Slide Number 26 Policies that Work – Access Schools, community centers, libraries, cafes, village centers – Basic Skills Target populations, e.g. younger generation, unemployed, women, community leaders – Costs Competition and deregulation in telecoms, ISP connections, servers – Democratization Training and facilities for civic society: media, parties, groups Leadership role for open government

Slide number 27 Resources: “Digital Divide” Cambridge University Press Fall 2001