Proceedings of the fourth Asia-Pacific Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, Arts and Humanities Stream (AHS-APRISH 2019)

Book excerpt: This is an open access book.According to Castells, power now rests in networks: “the logic of the network is more powerful than the powers of the network” (quoted in Weber, 2002, p. 104) – it is whether nation states or local communities are deeply affected, especially by inclusion in and exclusion from the global networks that structure a various sectors in society at any level. Thus it is also crucial look closely at exclusion from and inclusion in different kinds of social structures where connectivity and access to networks are essential, being aware that people at the bottom are those who, with nothing to offer the network, are excluded. Castells’ arguments shows us how the new forms of network society offer challenges in a way that despite the disappearance of conventional ties, exploitation, marginalization, exclusion and differentiation remain. In what follows, scholarships are invited to build an academic discussion on characterizing the structure and dynamics of societies in the world of the twenty-first century. Thus, scholar may come to look at the meaning of being in a network society by examining the role of network society within the complexity of socio-cultural, political and economic circumstances in strengthening the role of science in overcoming local, national, regional and global problems. But scientific research is also required to identify a wide variety of solutions to societal problems enhanced by the network society, which no longer relate solely to a particular discipline, but are multi- and trans-disciplinary. In addition, recent research has changed the traditional role of academia, demanding more collaboration in the production of science, not only among universities, but also among researchers, social practitioners and policymakers. Considering these issues, the fourth Asia-Pacific Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (APRiSH) will be hosted by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FISIP UI) in 2019 under the theme The Network Society: Continuity and Change. Scientific inputs from all parts of the world are welcome, academically and practically. Various perspectives, based on mono-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary or trans-disciplinary research are expected to examine the problems and contribute to solutions.