INTERNET - VISIONARIES
'Netocracy' authors: interview + meeting with bloggers
Thursday 24 April 2008
Alexander Bard and Jan Soderqvist, authors of the Internet classic "Netocracy: the new power elite and life after capitalism," visited FRANCE 24 for an interview and a meeting with French bloggers.
Thursday 24 April 2008
Authors Alexander Bard and Jan Soderqvist visited FRANCE 24 Thursday April 24 for a TV interview (click 'Play video' above) and then an informal Q+A with French bloggers (below).
FRANCE 24 is testing a Webphone-based live broadcast system called Bambuser. The system allows anyone with a camera-equipped mobile phone to broadcast live to a Web page. It's EXPERIMENTAL, so help us make it work! Let us know what you think by clicking 'React' at the bottom of the page.
Background on 'Netocracy'
In their now classic study "Netocracy: the new power elite and life after capitalism," Alexander Bard and Jan Soderqvist argue that the Internet is transforming modern society into a Netocracy. Using the classic Marxist model, they say that just as feudalism gave way to capitalism in the industrial age, now capitalism is giving way to a Netocracy. The new world belongs to the Netocrats - aristocrats of the Net - who understand that information and influence are key.
The book raises questions: Who are the winners and losers in the Netocracy? Who has power? The same old rich white guys in the West? Or teenage girls in Korea? And a new elite... is this what the Internet is creating? How about a better world for all?
