Novel manifestations of anomie and alienation in the information/network society

This dissertation critically examines the evolving meanings of Durkheim's "anomie" and Marx's "alienation" concepts, both during their initial introduction and in subsequent theoretical developments. Specifically, it investigates the extent to which these concepts, originally conceived to explain societal challenges encountered during the transition from agricultural to industrial societies in Western Europe, can be employed to comprehend the emerging value crises associated with the transition to the network information society. The study explores how these concepts can be utilized to elucidate issues such as value erosion, the breakdown of rules, a sense of helplessness, and the ineffectiveness of social structures that arise throughout the process of transitioning to an information and network-driven society. Ultimately, the dissertation investigates the novel forms assumed by these concepts in our present networked society, including "Technological Alienation" (the uncritical idolization of information and communication technologies), "Institutionalized Anomie" (the anomie resulting from the global dissemination of the American dream, leading to structural imbalances), "Relativism Anomie" (the state of normlessness stemming from postmodern individualist relativism eroding societal norms), "Anomie of Nihilism" (the normless state engendered by the loss of belief in any fundamental truths in a fluid postmodern world), "Anomie of Neoliberalism" (the state of normlessness stemming from the deregulation and collapse caused by neoliberal policies), "Anomie of Inevitability Politics" (the dissolution of values brought about by apocalyptic and determinist conceptions of time), and "Anomie of Eternity Politics" (the state of normlessness resulting from a perpetual state of emergency). Through an in-depth analysis of these concepts, this dissertation contributes to our understanding of the complex social dynamics and value crises that characterize the transition to the network information society. By exploring their applicability in contemporary contexts, this research sheds light on the ongoing relevance and adaptability of Durkheim's and Marx's conceptual frameworks in comprehending the multifaceted challenges of our rapidly evolving social landscape.