Infopolitics

Abstract

This chapter discusses informing politics (infopolitics), which is defined in terms of power, agendas, and flight/fight behaviors related to organizational informing agents. The central concept in infopolitics is that of infopower. Infopower is defined, illustrated by examples from the literature, and grounded in structuration theory. Manipulative communication techniques are also discussed, and their relationships with infopolitics are demonstrated. The discussion further covers a three-member categorization of resource-based infopower: data/IT control, expert power, and meaning management. In addition, alternative ontological views based on the premises of symbol and object are proposed as a way of expanding theorizing on infopower based on dialectics of autonomy and domination. The discussion also covers topics of infopolitical agenda and flight/fight behaviors. A case study of infopolitics supplements the discussion.