Not since the transformation into the Industrial Age has western society undergone as fundamental a change as it is now experiencing. The ongoing transition into a new economy, new social order and new political interaction is bringing about fear, discontent, and confusion. Tapscott's "Blueprint to the Digital Economy" is a wonderful primer for those unfamiliar with these changes.
This anthology ties together several social, economic and political themes into clearly organized, concisely written articles that both the futurist and the neo-Luddite will find engaging. Of particular value and interest was Tapscott's courage to tackle the issue of the changing seats of political power. While many change writers are eager to address the issues of the economy and social divides the Information Age will produce (spending more time on the issues of who will lose rather than how many will gain by this alteration), few writers have examined the meaning of information freedom to the power distribution of the Agrarian/Industrial political structure. No longer being able to control information, the underpinnings of Rousseau's direct democracy are suddenly within reach. Reversibly, while more information and democratization is possible with the increased connectivity of information systems, threats to privacy and individuality increase also. While the Information Age connectivity allows for greater globalization, it increases the likelihood and ease of regionalization and tribalization.
For businesses interested in understanding their roles and the markets of the Information Age and for those seeking a blueprint on how to adjust to the new era, this book's title is misleading. Tapscott does a fair job at bringing together a fundamental vision of the effects and potential of globalization, but this section is quickly becoming dated and will require work in an update of the book. Still, for those who have no background in the new business paradigms this book is a good starting point.