Abstract
The paper explains the ideas of Mark Brewer and Jeffrey Stonecash on culture and class in their analysis of American political choices in their book "Split: Class and Cultural Divides in American Politics". The paper discusses how the authors primarily point to class as the driving force in the evolution of the so-called culture wars and explains that divisions of opportunity caused by social class are more significant than ever before in politics. The paper looks at the authors' treatment of the 2004 election and how they show that class identification seemed to play a clear role in voter choice, more so than specific cultural concerns. The paper then discusses the presidential election of Barack Obama and how it supports the thesis of this work, since most people voted on 'class' issues.

From the Paper
"The outcomes of elections and partisan affiliations are both affected by class and culture, suggests Split. Class produces culture and vice versa. However, while Brewer and Stonecash consider both culture and class in their analysis of American political choices, particularly of the 2004 election, it is class that they primarily finger as the driving force in the evolution of the so-called culture wars. They suggest that American politics has become more politically partisan. Income and cultural opinions both drive voter choice more than they did thirty years ago (Brewer & Stonecash 183). Polarization has grown on the elite and mass level, and perceiving one party's candidate as positive is more likely to result in the perception that the other candidate is 'negative' in character (Brewer & Stonecash 184). Class polarization has resulted in political polarization to such a degree that even within social classes there is greater fractiousness and dislike of the other side's candidate--liberal upper-class individuals are more hostile to conservative members of the upper-class, for example."

Tags:Democratic, Republican, rich, poor, inequality

Abstract
The paper explains Fiorina's argument in the article "Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America" that the supposed culture-divide in America is an illusion constructed by politicians, private interests and activist agencies as a way to achieve personal agendas. The paper contends that this argument, as with the general argumentative methods employed in Fiorina's text, is easily discredited and rife with ironically partisan accusations about the state of modern politics. The paper further demonstrates how Fiorina's thesis is not just unfounded and overstated, but it flies in the face of logic within the context of a nation defined by its diversity.

From the Paper
"The previous decade in American political history seems to be categorically defined by intense and passionate divides over policy issues, constitutional interpretations and moral ideologies. These, it appeared, had been manifested by a distinct and clear cultural divide across which America's population stretches. Indeed, geographical, religious and ethnic perceptions have seemed to place definable beliefs, interests and ideals with specific demographics. This has produced a scenario where our political system and public representatives appear to function according to an understanding and embrace of this divide. Here, author and political theorist Morris P. Fiorina makes the argument, the political process becomes a catalyst rather than an outcome, of such divides. In his 2005 text, Fiorina constructs the argument that most Americans actually fall somewhere in the moderate or centrist range with respect to political identity, but that the heightened and particular interests of political groups and select activists has shaped and intensified a sense of rancor and discord between two sides of the same public."

Tags:diversity, culture, polarizations, individualities, voters

Abstract
The paper discusses how as any casual student of history recalls, in the mid 1990s, the proliferation of the Internet and the World Wide Web took the world by storm. The paper expalins that in the wake of new hope and promise about the potential wonders of modern technology, fears about social inequalities soon surfaced, that is, advocates of social justice and equal opportunity raised serious questions about how the poor segments of society would be able to provide children with access to critical new technologies. The paper notes that the buzz phrase "haves and have-nots" soon surfaced as a way of underscoring fears about the future of society along the so-called digital divide. The paper examines the subject of the "digital divide" in terms of trends since the 1990s. More specifically, the current study examines whether the digital divide is growing or narrowing and why. The current study also looks at other divides that are related to technology while also noting what grants/funds are available for schools to address these issues.

From the Paper
"As any casual student of history recalls, in the mid 1990s, the proliferation of the Internet and the World Wide Web took the world by storm. In the wake of new hope and promise about the potential wonders of modern technology, fears about social inequalities soon surfaced. That is, advocates of social justice and equal opportunity raised serious questions about how the poor segments of society would be able to provide children with access to critical new technologies. The buzz phrase "haves and have-nots" soon surfaced as a way of underscoring fears about the future..."

Tags:digital divide, internet access, equal opportunity

Abstract
There are many in today's society who do not have access to the internet and this fact automatically makes them 'digitally challenged'. This paper analyzes three articles which tackled the different dimensions or facets of the digital divide in the United States. Through the article analyses, the researcher posits that the problem of digital divide has multiple, rather than one, facet. This means that at present, the internet-oriented society confronts 'digital divides' of different kinds: Stratification in terms of access, use and even knowledge or education about the internet.

From the Paper
"At present, societies from all over the world are rapidly becoming Internet-oriented, where almost all daily activities are mediated by or use Internet and computer technologies. The vital role of the Internet is especially addressed in increasing one's level of knowledge and becoming an aid in achieving formal education. Moreover, because of the generally-beneficial effects of Internet technology to society, accessing and using it has become imperative for all members of these Internet-oriented societies.
However, a digital divide exists despite the proliferation of Internet technology and use. There are still stratified groups that do not have access to the computer and Internet. Moreover, apart from lack or absence of access, the lack of skills and knowledge to use the Internet is another problem that relevant institutions such as the government and schools have been trying to curb by offering free access and training programs to the public about Internet use."

Tags:internet, disadvantage

Abstract
This paper presents a review of Raymond Cohen's book, "Culture and Conflict in Egyptian-Israeli Relations: A Dialogue pf The Deaf". The genesis and structure of the argument, as well as Cohen's style and methods are reviewed. The analysis presents a mixed review -- appreciative of the insights Cohen offers, but skeptical that he is completely objective in his argument.

Tags:egyptian, israeli, diplomacy

Abstract
The paper addresses the gender gap within the digital divide between men and women, and across nations and economic levels. It gives reasons why the gender gap is a cause for concern, and why the digital divide is important.

From the Paper
"Men and women do not access information and communication technology ICT at the same rates nor do they enter the fields that develop future ICT applications and direction at the same rates. There is a digital divide that is widening between men and women in this regard and the divide exists across nations and economic levels. This research considers the digital divide in general, the gender gap within the digital divide in particular and reasons that the gender gap ..."

Tags:OECD, organization economic co-operation, development, international business, digital divide, gender gap, UNDP

Abstract
The paper provides an overview of the concept of the digital divide and explores to what extent the digital divide still exists within contemporary society. The paper considers the criticism of the digital divide concept and makes use of a number of case study examples including Singapore, India and Ireland. The paper reaches the conclusion that the phrase "digital divide" is an inappropriate one if only because it encourages the belief in a binary gap, where the reality is that of a sliding scale of access.

Outline:
Introduction
Defining the Digital Divide
Looking for the Digital Divide Today
Criticism of the Digital Divide Concept
The Digital Divide in Singapore Revisited
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Unfortunately, the literature would seem to offer little congruence as to a singular definition on the subject of the digital divide. However, in general the concept may be one which seeks to explain and highlight the divide between those who have access to ICT technology and those who do not. Despite this common definition, the concept has both evolved over time and has emphasis placed upon different areas by different authorities. While early commentators in the Clinton era simply focused upon the availability of hardware (Selwyn, 2004) considering the divide between those who had access to computers and those who did not. Later approaches have included a whole host of wider considerations such as access to software, the internet and even broadband technology in the modern era (Compane, 2001). One key commentator in relation to the Singapore experience (Yun, 2001) defined the digital divide as "the gap between those who are internet savvy and those who are not" while this refers directly to the internet, a single element of the digital divide, the reference the word "savvy" implies that the digital divide is a social condition relating to the user and their ability to make use of technology as much as the availability of technology as a physical resource. As Castells (2011) indicates, the problem is not considering whether or not there is a divide in access to technology but that there way in which the problem is framed, for instance should the digital divide be considered against its historic backdrop or should the definition be updated to take into account contemporary developments."

Tags:ICT, access, rich, poor, disparity, Singapore

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed examination of consociational models and whether they would work in deeply divided societies. The writer explores the models being used in several other places including the Netherlands and Switzerland. The reader is first given a detailed explanation of how such a model operates and what its positive aspects are. Then the writer touches on some of the negative aspects. Finally the entire idea is brought to the door of deeply divided societies and the writer explains whether or not the model can be applied to those divided societies successfully.

From the Paper
"Every society likes to entertain the belief that they have the truth in the best societal practice. If asked each government will tell the inquirer that their form of government and their societal system is the most well thought out and best system there is. Part of this may come from the need to believe they are providing the best possible system for those who live within its boundaries, and part of it may be a true belief that it is the best because they are comfortable with its operation. The truth is often somewhere in the middle and the systems could always use some tweaking to make them as perfect as their representatives would have them sound."

Tags:society, culture, division, democracy, border, government

Abstract
This paper discusses the digital divide within the United States and worldwide. It discusses the reasons for the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not and the implications of the gap. The paper then looks at possible solutions to the problems caused by the digital divide and the writer's opinion of the solutions' merits.

From the Paper
"It is my opinion that the digital divide might never be bridged, the gap between the haves and the have nots is too wide and donating computers and software applications to underdeveloped areas is not going to solve the problem. Innovation and technological advancements are hard to catch up with due to economic and education problems especially from a global perceptive. For example, it is complicated to educate someone in East Africa about the internet when they lack electricity and have no TVs. The goal should be to help the world one day at a time by providing essential amenities for survival and hopefully information technology will spread."

Tags:advancement, e-commerce, education

Abstract
This paper discusses the "digital divide" that exists in the United States. First, the author defines this term as referring to the disparity in learning and earning potential based on income, race, geography, ethnicity and many other social factors. Next, the Internet is shown to be a measure of this problem. Third world countries are also considered in terms of the "digital divide." Finally, the paper suggests ways of overcoming this problem and the role of IT professionals in finding a solution.

From the Paper
"There is a significant digital divide in the United States, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and throughout both westernized and third world nations too. The digital divide is a term that refers to wide disparities in the availability of information and technologies that are instrumental in learning and earning more over a lifetime. The Internet has become an indispensable tool for gaining greater knowledge and skills through distance learning. Due to the digital divide, the potential to advancement out of poverty for those in low-income regions of the U.S. and the world greatly diminishes their ability to break the cycle of poverty in their families. The digital divide is defined as the disparity in learning and earning potential based on income, race, geography, ethnicity and many other social factors."

Tags:Information, technology, Internet, third, world