What role does technology play in development Essay

What role does technology play in development - Essay Example Knowledge and technology should be considered together otherwise development is hampered. Nowadays information and communication technologies are the potential for the development. Therefore it is necessary to pay attention to distribution and application of these technologies in order to give equal rights to developed and developing countries (Wehelive, 2005, p. 39). This research paper considers technology and development with regard to information society. The works by Bell, Schumacher, Smith, Ovitt, Steinberg, Castells and others are focused on thee discussion of connection between technology and development. The majority of researchers claim that technology and development are closely connected and technology is considered to be a crucial factor in a modern society. On the other hand, inequity of technology distribution between developed and developing countries may be a drawback of development. Moreover, technological progress may be an obstacle to development. Thus it is relevant to discuss not technology, but intermediate or appropriate technology as it is suggested by Schumacher and Ovitt. Daniel Bell is focused on the study of the information society. His writings are mainly focused on three main issues: post-industrial information and workforce; the second one is about information flows; the third is focused on the discussion of connection between computers and the information revolution. Bell has always connected the society first with goods and then with services. Furthermore, Bell draws parallels between information and knowledge (Duff, 1998, p. 373). He emphasizes the significance of theoretical knowledge and its importance for a modern society. Thus Bell’s claim about the post-industrial society concerns theoretical knowledge as the only way to successful development. He suggests knowledge to be codified into symbols and be applied