The New Knowledge: Information, Data and the Remaking of Global Power

Control over knowledge, particularly data and intellectual property, has become a key battleground for economic and political power. The knowledge structure's rising dominance is leading to a massive redistribution of power, with strong intellectual property rights concentrating economic benefits in a smaller number of hands and the "internet of things" reshaping property, ownership, and control. Governments and companies are engaging in ever-more surveillance, and The New Knowledge provides a guide to and analysis of these changes. Haggart and Tusikov propose knowledge decommodification to ensure that our new knowledge is not treated as a commodity but as a way to meet the needs of individuals and communities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Knowledge, particularly data and intellectual property, has emerged as a crucial battleground for economic and political power in the global geopolitical arena and the smart city. Both companies and governments are vying for control over the knowledge structure, which has become a goal in itself. This dominance is resulting in a significant shift in power, with economic benefits concentrated in the hands of a few and the "internet of things" reshaping fundamental concepts of property, ownership, and control. In this pursuit, governments and companies are engaging in ever-more extensive surveillance.

The New Knowledge provides a comprehensive guide and analysis of these changes, as well as the emerging phenomenon of the knowledge-driven society. It highlights how the pursuit of knowledge control has evolved into its ideology, with experts drawn from those capable of collecting and manipulating digital data. Haggart and Tusikov propose knowledge decommodification as a solution to ensure that our new knowledge is not treated as a commodity to be bought and sold but rather as a means to meet the needs of the individuals and communities that create it.

The control over knowledge has profound implications for society, as it shapes the distribution of resources, opportunities, and power. It also raises important ethical questions about privacy, surveillance, and the role of technology in shaping our lives. As we navigate the complex landscape of knowledge control, it is essential to consider the potential benefits and risks and to work towards a future where knowledge is accessible, equitable, and sustainable.

Weight: 662g
Dimension: 237 x 158 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538160879