The Role of Community Computer Networks in Local Civil Society

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY COMPUTER NETWORKS IN LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY John Jespersen B.A., Simon Fraser University, 1993 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTLAL FZiLFILLMENT OF THE REQUREiMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Geography O John Jespersen 2000 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY March 2000 Al1 rights reserved. This work rnay not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other rneans, without permission of the author. National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1+1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisilions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Weîlingtcm OMwaON KIAW Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exciusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, disiribute or seii reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfonn, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronîc formats. la forme de microfichelnlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othenwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT Community-based computer networks (CCNs) are investigated in terms of their potential role in developing civil society at the local level. This study is shaped by the belief that unequal access to the benefits of timehpace-collapsing technologies leads to increasing centralization of social power over time, entrenching differences in human opportunities. CCNs are explored as a mechanism for addressing this social disparity both directly, through provision of universai access to computer networking technology, and indirectly, through influence on the development of civil society in the locai area. Best practices literature on CCNs is organized to expose the strengths and vulnerabilities of this forrn of local adaptation of technology. Specificdly, the processes involved in establishing a CCN organization, gathering resources for that organization, and developing the technical and informational structures of the organization are exarnined to provide information on how each process contributes to the development of local civil society. A general view of CCN influence is refined, which finds that the process of establishing and maintaining these organizations tends to increase both empowerrnent of individuals involved with the CCN and cooperation between community groups in the area served by the CCN, both of which trends are likely to contribute to the vitality and sustainability of civil society in a local area. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Generous support provided by the Toyota Foundation through the "Pluralism in Cornmunity Development Practices: Can New Information Technologies Build/Maintain A Civil Society?" project CO-ordinatedby Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has been crucial to the gathering and organizing of best practices Iiterature for this thesis. Dr. John Pierce, Dean of Arts, and Dr. Alison Gill, Chair of the Department of Geography at SFU,are owed much for their ongoing feedback dunng supervision of this thesis and, in particular, for their patience during a very Iong thesis development period. Especial thanks go to Dr. Greg Halseth, of the Geography Program at UNBC, for the time and thought he repeatedly gifted me with. His suggestions have always been very valuable in making this document better organized and more useful to the reader. My sincere thanks to the following: Heather Jespersen, my partner in al1 things, for the many hours spent reading and rereading the text to ensure that it is understandable to those not farniliar with the language and assumptions of computer technologies; Alison Hill, friend and office partner, for quiet but constant encouragement; Arian Soheili. long- time friend, for not-so-quiet but constant encouragement; and Peter Royce, Co-ordinator of the Vancouver CommunityNet, for his review of the best practices component of this work and his ideas for improvements to it. TABLE OF CONTENTS .- Approval Page II... Abstract 111 Ac knowledgements i v Table of Contents v List of Figures vii Chapter 1 [NTRODUCTION TO CONCEPTS General Introduction Chapter Description The Research Topic The HaveMave Not Gap Time/Space Convergence Centralization/Decentralization Access Barriers Evolution of Community Cornputer Networks (CCNs) Technical Choractenstics of CCNs Social Characteristics of CCNs The Concept of Civil Society The Connection Between CCNs and Civil Society The Struggle Over Infrastructure Conclusion RESEARCH LITERATURE REVIEW Chapter Description Community Croup Use of Cornputer Networks CCN Scope and Mandate CCN Usage Within the Comrnunity Influences on CCN Access Benefits and Disadvantages Linked to CCN Use Conclusion Chapter 3 METHODOLOGY Chapter Description Research Focus Research Method Issues in the Use of Best fractices Bias and Generalizability Conclusion Chaprer 3 CCN BEST PRACTICES: DEVELOPING LOCAL INTENT AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Chapter Description Forming the Organizing Committee Community Assessment Setting Goals Developing the Working Structure Member Groupings Committee Responsibilities Registering a Legal Structure Orgrinization-Defining Documents Charitable Organization Tax Status Process Summary for Developing Organizational Structure Implications for Lod Civil Society Development Chapter 5 CCN BEST PRACTCES: DEVELOPING RESOURCE GATHERING CAPACITY Chapter Description Issues in Support Acquisition De-rnystifying the Technology Linking the Network with Community Vitality Forming Organizational Alliances Using Local Expertise Fundraising Educating Community Members about the CCN Informing Supporters New User Procedures New User Education Volunteer Orientation Process Summary for Developing Resource Gathering Capacity Implications for Local Civil Society Developrnent Chaprer 6 CCN BEST PRACTICES: DEVELOPTNG TECHMCAL AND INFORMATIONAL STRUCTURES WHILC ENSLJRiNG COMMUMTY RESPONSIVENESS Chapter Description Developing the Technical Structure Adaptability Vulnerability Communications Tools User Interface Developing the InformationaI Structure The Internet Issue Towards Organizational Maturity Launching the CCN Achieving Critical Mass Responsiveness to the Community Process Summary for Developing Technical and Informational Structures Implications for Local Civil Society Developrnent Chapter 7 CCN WFLUENCES ON LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY Chapier Description Decentralization of Social Power, Civil Society. and CCNs The Role of CCNs in Local Civil Society CCNs and Individual Empowerment CCNs and Community Organization Synergy Factors Affecting Finding Generalizability Limitations of the CCN Approach Significance of this Study Space, Place. and CCNS Appendix A Community Computer Networking Timeline Appendix B CCN Developmental Practices Appendix C Geographic Contexts of Sources of CCN Practices Bibliography vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Description Page Aspects of local economy Goal statement development process Traditional non-profit organization working structure nattened non-profit organization working structure Cornmittee interaction pattern Involving community members in the CCN initiative Possible individual reactions to the CCN initiative Potentiai organizationai dies in the community Basic structures of a community computer network Three styles of introductory screens Generalized organizational life cycle Steps leading to strengthening of local civil society LIST OF TABLES Table Description Page 2.1 User characteristics over three CCN studies 32 Chapter One INTRODUCTION TO CONCEPTS GENERAL INTRODUCTION This introduction is intended to orient the reader to two irregularities in this thesis that may appear disquieting if encountered without prior explanation. The first is a multidisciplinary approach that, although not uncornmon, should receive mention. The second is an inability to adhere strictly to the norrnat forms of citation for the sources of information used in this study. This thesis addresses issues that have, historically, fallen into different categories of study. Concepts and approaches from the fields of Communications, Geography, and Political Science are mingled here to facilitate a greater understanding of the influence which a new communications technology (cornputer networking) with an unprecedented capability to reduce geographic limitations on human interactions (through time-space convergence effects) is having on the development of local capacity to sustain citizen influence over political and economic activities (civil society). The convergence of fields of study is a common trend in acadernic work today, reflecting the ongoing convergence of roles and techniques in Our society. The overlap areas of different fields of study can, like the fringes of different ecological zones, provide a richness and diversity of approach better able to cope with complexity. The theories that underlie this study are drawn from al1 three disciplines but this is by no means the first time that they have been juxtaposed. The concept of civil society is today aimost as commonly found in the work of social geographers as it is in that of political scientists.

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