A comparative assessment of various interpretations of the information society. What are the "global games" in an age of information, and what are the main aspects of social change in relation to the new information technology.

A new alliance of companies in mass communication, entertainment and telecommunication has emerged, preparing for the big business opportunities of the next century. Developments like gaining political supports for media monopolies apparently run against public interest.

In the mainstream literature, the emergence of the information society is interpreted as a tendency to deconstruct large metropolitan areas, and locate new economic activities in a decentralised way. The author argues that inner cities are far from losing their economic importance, although the new forms of communication and conduct create new forms of centres and peripheries in the world system.

Restructuring telecommunication industries according to the interests of the new age of information create unemployment and insecurity of jobs. Labour representation has become much more difficult than before. There are examples of "humanitarian" solutions, even if not very widespread.

Philantropic capital, its investment and its distribution have been unduly neglected by the critics of capitalism. The non-profit sector, however, does have a particular "profit", i.e. creating an intellectual and ideological environment favourable for capitalism. The size and scope of this sector in the United States is assessed in the article.