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 ‘sharing economy’, powered by companies like Airbnb, Uber and Deliveroo, promised to revolutionize the way we work and live. But what changes have come about, and why?


This book shows 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, the book provides a critical overview of the struggles around platforms, examines platform power, and reflects on the different possible futures of the platform economy.