Funciones de la Tecnología de la Información en el sistema mundo de la modernidad occidental: hacia la apropiación tecnológica en América Latina

An analysis of the main functions of information technology as part of the modern world- system of global capitalism is presented, considering the time period from the second half of the 20th century to the present. Following An & iacute;bal Quijano's theoretical approach, these functions are categorized according to the dimensions of the social relations of labor, sex and authority, and are related correspondingly to the institutions of the capitalist market, patriarchy, and national states and transnational organizations. The identification of these functions makes explicit the purposes for which information technology has historically been designed. This knowledge constitutes an input for decision making in processes of technological appropriation that make it possible to redefine the design of information technology to meet the needs of Latin American populations and thus promote the improvement of their living conditions.