The Impacts of Global Inequality in Social Networks: Examined in Three Major Theories

Abstract

The rapid growth of modern long-distance communication technologies both in term of quality and quantity and the consequent emergence of cyberspace in parallel with the real world, has led to new forms of inequality which can be interpreted in three different ways. Using the three-generation theory of social networks (Oral networks; Longdistance networks; and, Digital networks), one can make domestic comparisons, and find countries in which the majority of the population are within the third category or the digital network. On the other side of the extreme, are nations who are still under the limited conditions of the first and second categories of oral and long-distance networking. This paper presents a chart using a combination of different statistical indicators to illustrate the inequality in question. The focus of this paper has been on the two countries of Iran and the United States as its case study. The conclusion at the end suggests that tackling and reducing the inequality in question has to do with 'national will and national facilities' as well as 'individual will and individual facilities'.