Platform Politics

This book charts the rise and fall of the 'sharing economy', the controversial lobbying tactics used by the central companies and the backlash seen so far. It offers key policy recommendations and presents state-of-the-art knowledge around the past, present and future of the platform economy.

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The platform economy, powered by companies like Airbnb, Uber and Deliveroo, promised to revolutionize the way we work and live. But what are the actual benefits to our society and economy?


This book interrogates the ‘sharing economy’, showing how platform capitalism is not only shaped by business decisions, but is a result of struggles involving social movements, consumer politics and state interventions. It focuses in particular on the controversial tactics used by platform giants to avoid regulation.


Drawing on cutting-edge research and analysis, this book provides a critical overview of the struggles around the platform economy, examines platform power, and reflects on the different possible futures of the new digital economy.