The Network Society (Manuel Castells)

The Network Society, as described by Manuel Castells, is a social structure where digital communications and connected networks fundamentally shape how we share information, organize economically, and interact socially. In this society, power and influence are concentrated in networks of nodes—such as companies, governments, or social groups—that communicate rapidly across the globe. This interconnected system transforms traditional institutions, emphasizing flexibility, innovation, and immediacy. Essentially, our world is increasingly driven by digital links that shape our behaviors, opportunities, and societal organization, making networks central to understanding modern economic and social dynamics.