The rapid growth of modern long-distance communication technologies
both in term of quality and quantity and the consequent emergence
of cyberspace in parallel with the real world, has led to new forms of
inequality which can be interpreted in three different ways. Using the
three-generation theory of social networks (Oral networks; Longdistance
networks; and, Digital networks), one can make domestic
comparisons, and find countries in which the majority of the population
are within the third category or the digital network. On the other side
of the extreme, are nations who are still under the limited conditions
of the first and second categories of oral and long-distance networking.
This paper presents a chart using a combination of different statistical
indicators to illustrate the inequality in question. The focus of this paper
has been on the two countries of Iran and the United States as its case
study. The conclusion at the end suggests that tackling and reducing the
inequality in question has to do with ‘national will and national facilities’
as well as ‘individual will and individual facilities’.
