In this second volume of The Information Age trilogy, with an extensive new preface following the recent global economic crisis, Manuel Castells deals with the social, political, and cultural dynamics associated with the technological transformation of our societies and with the globalization of the economy. Extensive new preface examines how dramatic recent events have transformed the socio-political landscape of our world Applies Castells hypotheses to contemporary issues such as Al Qaeda and global terrorist networks, American unilateralism and the crisis of political legitimacy throughout the world A brilliant account of social, cultural, and political conflict and struggle all over the world Analyzes the importance of cultural, religious, and national identity as sources of meaning for people, and its implications for social movement Throws new light on the dynamics of global and local change

In this second volume of The Information Age trilogy, withan extensive new preface following the recent global economiccrisis, Manuel Castells deals with the social, political, andcultural dynamics associated with the technological transformationof our societies and with the globalization of the economy.* Extensive new preface examines how dramatic recent events havetransformed the socio-political landscape of our world* Applies Castells' hypotheses to contemporary issues suchas Al Qaeda and global terrorist networks, American unilateralismand the crisis of political legitimacy throughout the world* A brilliant account of social, cultural, and political conflictand struggle all over the world* Analyzes the importance of cultural, religious, and nationalidentity as sources of meaning for people, and its implications forsocial movement* Throws new light on the dynamics of global and localchange