Bell

Question 1

What’s Bell’s general starting point on information and society?

Answer 1

Information and knowledge are central component of post-industrial society

Question 2

How is Bell a neo-evolutionist?

Answer 2

History has identifiable trends of development, which can help identifying future development. US leads the way to post-industrialism (based on contemporary trends he noticed)

Question 3

What is Bell’s viewpoint on wholistic views towards societies?

Answer 3

Bell is anti-holistic. Societies include different realms (social structure, culture, and polity) which are independent and do not presumably shape each other.

Question 4

Which realm does Bell credits the emergence of PIS to ?

Answer 4

PIS emerges from the social structure realm only, separately from politics and culture.

Question 5

//Question about Typologies of Societies

Question 6

How does Bell characterize work in PIS?

Answer 6

Information work is white collar: deals with people rather than things, high satisfaction
Professionals are essential in information work
Scientists and engineers are also essential.

Question 7

How does Bell see community dynamics is PIS?

Answer 7

People in PIS develop intentional and self-conscious trajectories, based on person-oriented services, rather than being seen as units of society

Question 8

How is Bell an intellectual conservative according to Webster?

Answer 8

Increase in numbers and quality of professionals does not necessarily imply the beginning of a new age.