PERELMAN, MICHAEL. Class warfare in the information age. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998, Pp. 154. $35.00. ISBN 0-312-17758-5. Examines the reciprocal relationship between class structure and information technology. Considers the extravagant claims about the revolutionary nature of the coming information age. Contends that, for the most part, the information technologies are not being applied to improve the quality of life; rather, they are being used to perfect command and control processes, often at the expense of the wellbeing of workers. Examines information and the control of the labor process, arguing that information processes should be used to develop and engage the technological potential of all employees. Describes the contradiction of exploited informational labor: that command and control management is self-defeating under conditions where a single error in a massive computer program can cause a disaster. Explains why the use of information as a commodity necessitates a more intrusive government to protect intellectual property rights. Indicates how the new information technologies are also used to exert control of the general population outside of the workplace. Analyzes how the growth of intellectual property rights undermines the growth of science and technology, thereby restricting the potential of the information economy. Demonstrates that markets are poorly equipped to manage the production and exchange of information. Suggests ways that the technologies of the supposed information revolution could be turned to good purpose. Perelman is Professor of Economics at California State University, Chico. regards, Tom Walker www.vcn.bc.ca/timework/worksite.htm
