Smith and Smythe

“The ascendancy of the market over the state and inside the state (…) atrophies the public, closes political spaces, and further marginalizes the already marginalized.” (p.184)

“The Internet (…) creates a rather anarchic environment where information flows in a largely unmediated way, and can be shared so as to facilitate collaborative, rather than competitive, behaviour.” (p.194)

“(…) the growth of a global civil society facilitated by the rise of international technologies has the potential to enhance citizenship globally and domestically. By opening public spaces and making critical aspects of politics more relevant new information technologies are revitalising democratic institutions.” (p.203)

SMITH, P. AND SMYTHE, E., 2001. Globalisation, Citizenship and Technology. The Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) meets the Internet. In: F.WEBSTER, ed. Culture and Politics in the Information Age. London: Routledge, p.184-206.