Informational Capitalism and the Digital Divide in Africa
Informational Capitalism and the Digital Divide in Africa

Summary/Abstract: In this paper we present a critical theoretical notion of the digital divide in informational capitalism. Digital divides are seen as the result of the inherent asymmetry of accumulation processes in the economic, political, and cultural system of contemporary society and resulting structural inequalities. The empirical part of the paper discusses the digital divide in Nigeria as an example from Africa and shows besides the severity of the situation that the policies of liberalization and privatization haven’t improved the problem. In the last section we identify six potential strategies for the solution of digital divides. We argue that five of them are one-dimensional and short sighted, advanced a critique and deconstruction of neo-liberal solutions, and argue that an integrative strategy aiming at social, political-economical, and technological change is needed.

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