The Impacts of Global Inequality in Social Networks: Examined in Three Major Theories

Abstract

The rapid growth of modern long-distance communication technologies<br />both in term of quality and quantity and the consequent emergence<br />of cyberspace in parallel with the real world, has led to new forms of<br />inequality which can be interpreted in three different ways. Using the<br />three-generation theory of social networks (Oral networks; Longdistance<br />networks; and, Digital networks), one can make domestic<br />comparisons, and find countries in which the majority of the population<br />are within the third category or the digital network. On the other side<br />of the extreme, are nations who are still under the limited conditions<br />of the first and second categories of oral and long-distance networking.<br />This paper presents a chart using a combination of different statistical<br />indicators to illustrate the inequality in question. The focus of this paper<br />has been on the two countries of Iran and the United States as its case<br />study. The conclusion at the end suggests that tackling and reducing the<br />inequality in question has to do with ‘national will and national facilities'<br />as well as ‘individual will and individual facilities'.