Knowledge democracy and the implications to information access

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of “knowledge democracy,” deploying a pluralistic, and cross disciplinary and humanistic critique.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a culturally pluralistic and humanistic interpretation of globally emergent form of learning pedagogy, particularly manifested in e‐learning.

Findings

This paper explores the concept of knowledge democracy in the context of knowledge and information revolution. It has been argued that knowledge democratization implies freedom and equality to access information and knowledge across cultures and societies, particularly in the context of globalization. It is asserted that a democratization of the notion of knowledge would cause a paradigm shift; the way instruction and education are socially structured in different social systems. The knowledge society provides a new spirit of global sharing of values, acceptance of others and learning to live with divergent worldviews. It is contended that e‐learning in particular sets a new global social opportunity to transcend regional, racial and national prejudices.

Originality/value

The paper underscores the significance of pluralistic and humanistic perspective on knowledge and e‐learning.

Citation

Raza, A. and Sohaib Murad, H. (2008), "Knowledge democracy and the implications to information access", Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/17504970810867142