reviewed by Sandy
MacLean
Vice Chancellor Emeritus
University of Missouri-St.
Louis
Jordan, T. (2000). Cyberpower: The Culture and Politics of
Cyberspace and the Internet. Routledge, New York, New
York.
Since the early 1990’s, a number of scholars have been studying
the impact of cyberspace, (e.g., computers, the Internet, and
e-mail), on culture, society, economics, and politics. These scholars
study both the impact of change within cyberspace and its growing
influence on society. This book is a study of power as it relates to
cyberspace. In other words, which individuals and groups of
individuals make decisions that now govern and will govern cyberspace
in the future. The primary audience for the study is the students and
scholars who study cyberspace and its influence internally and
externally.
Readers of this book need to understand that Jordan and his colleagues consider cyberspace much more than a highly efficient and effective tool. Instead they view cyberspace as a new reality, a virtual reality that exists parallel with physical reality. For them, virtual reality has its own separate existence with its own members, culture, societies, politics, and economics. Acceptance of this position, not necessarily adoption of it, is an important first step for anyone who wants to understand this book and those who study this new field of inquiry.
Cyberpower has seven chapters. Chapter one introduces the reader to the study of power within cyberspace. Chapter two establishes the parameters of this study. The remaining chapters are The Virtual Individual, The Virtual Social I (on-line), The Virtual Social II (off-line), The Virtual Imaginary, and the concluding chapter titled Cyberpower.
It is not within the scope of this review to summarize all chapters; however, the final chapter has some interesting conclusions. Since cyberspace is both decentralized and anti-hierarchical, libertarianism is the foundational philosophy of cyberspace. Libertarianism is essential because in cyberspace individualism is fostered, people are constructing their own cybercommunities, and central power neither works nor is possible at this time. The paradox, states Jordan, is that the technopower elite controls power within cyberspace. The technopower elite controls cyberspace economically, by developing and administering policy, and arranging social relationships. The technopower elite includes a wide range of individuals from programmers to Bill Gates. Unfortunately, only the technopower elite has the skills and knowledge to utilize, manipulate, manage, and further develop cyberspace, states Jordan. He goes on to say that because cyberspace is so complex and continues to become more complex, the technopower elite, over time, will become more powerful.
This is not a book that one picks up and reads for pleasure. It is very technical and written for those who study the sociological, economic, and political aspects of cyberspace. The author’s glossary, chapter introductions, and chapter notes were helpful. This reader relied frequently on chapter notes to gain a better understanding of the ideas, concepts, and assertions.
Cyberpower is worth reading for those who are interested in seeking a deeper understanding of cyberspace and the growing cyberspace community. Further Cyberpower proved to be thought provoking and a topic for interesting conversation for friends who are excited about cyberspace.
*Tim Jordan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of East London, London, England.