Unveiling the Hijacked Sharing Economy: A Path to Reclaiming Its Promise

The sharing economy, once heralded as a transformative force for good, has been co-opted by corporations that have ruthlessly exploited its potential for their own gain. In the gripping exposé "How The Sharing Economy Got Hijacked And How To Win It Back," authors Arun Sundararajan and Lisa Calvi illuminate the insidious ways these behemoths have distorted the very essence of sharing. They paint a vivid picture of how platform capitalism has eroded worker rights, diminished consumer protections, and undermined social justice.

After the Gig: How the Sharing Economy Got Hijacked and How to Win It Back

by Mark Fallon

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1586 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	280 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Corporatization of Sharing

The book meticulously documents the strategies employed by corporations to hijack the sharing economy. These tactics include:

• Monopolistic practices: Acquiring smaller platforms and stifling competition to create a dominant position in the market.
• Exploitation of workers: Classifying workers as independent contractors, denying them basic employment benefits and protections.
• Weakening consumer protections: Reducing transparency and accountability, making it difficult for consumers to seek redress for poor experiences.

The authors show how these actions have created a system that enriches the few at the expense of the many, exacerbating inequality and undermining the principles of fairness that once defined the sharing economy.

The Impact on Society

The hijacking of the sharing economy has far-reaching consequences for society. The exploitation of workers leads to low wages, precarious employment, and a diminished sense of dignity. Weakened consumer protections leave users vulnerable to fraud, abuse, and data privacy violations. Social justice is undermined as the sharing economy becomes an exclusive club for the wealthy and well-connected.

The authors argue that this distortion of the sharing economy has created a "platform capitalism" that is fundamentally at odds with the values of equity, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Winning It Back

While the situation may seem dire, Sundararajan and Calvi offer a roadmap for reclaiming the promise of the sharing economy. They propose a series of bold policy recommendations and grassroots initiatives that can restore its potential for social and economic transformation. These include:

• Antitrust enforcement: Breaking up monopolies and promoting competition to prevent the dominance of a few large platforms.
• Worker protections: Extending benefits and protections to workers classified as independent contractors.
• Consumer protections: Strengthening transparency and accountability, giving consumers the tools to make informed decisions and seek recourse.
• Stakeholder participation: Involving workers, consumers, and community organizations in the design and governance of sharing platforms.

The authors emphasize that winning back the sharing economy requires a collective effort, involving policymakers, business leaders, activists, and everyday citizens.

"How The Sharing Economy Got Hijacked And How To Win It Back" is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of the sharing economy and the impact of platform capitalism on society. Sundararajan and Calvi provide a compelling account of the challenges facing this once-promising movement and offer practical solutions for reclaiming its potential for good.

By embracing the recommendations outlined in the book, we can create a sharing economy that is truly fair, equitable, and sustainable. A sharing economy that empowers workers, protects consumers, strengthens communities, and contributes to a more just and prosperous world.

After the Gig: How the Sharing Economy Got Hijacked and How to Win It Back

by Mark Fallon

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1586 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	280 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE