Today's economic system, premised on the sale of physical goods, does not fit the information age in which we live. The capitalist order requires the maintenance of an artificial scarcity in goods that have the potential for near infinite and almost free replication. The sharing of informational goods through distributed global networks – digital libraries, file–sharing, live–streaming, free software, free–access publishing, the free–sharing of scientific knowledge, and open-source pharmaceuticals – not only challenges the dominance of a scarcity–based economic system, but also enables a more efficient, innovative, just and free culture. In a series of seven explorations of contemporary sharing, Matthew David shows that in each case sharing surpasses markets, private ownership and intellectual property rights in fostering motivation, creativity, innovation, production, distribution and reward. In transforming the idea of an information economy into an information society, sharing connects struggles against inequality and poverty in developed and developing countries. Challenging taken-for-granted justifications of the status quo, Sharing debunks the 'tragedy of the commons' and makes the case for digital network sharing as a viable mode of economic counterpower, prefiguring a post–capitalist society.
Les mer
Today's economic system premised on the sale of physical goods does not fit the information age we live in. The capitalist order requires the maintenance of an artificial scarcity in goods that have the potential for near infinite and almost free replication.
Les mer
1. Introduction 2. Libraries and the Digital World 3. Peer-to-Peer Music Sharing Online 4. Live-streaming and Television Rights Management 5. Open Source Software and Proprietary Software 6. Publishing: Academic, Journalistic and Trade 7. Genes, Genetically Modified Organisms, Patents and Agribusiness 8. Pharmaceutical Patents and Generic Drugs 9. Conclusions Ð Sharing: Crime Against Capitalism References
Les mer
"Through a remarkably broad cross-industry synthesis, Matthew David demonstrates how information industries could benefit by adjusting market mechanisms to support the vitality of sharing-based economies. Anyone with a serious interest in intellectual property policy and practice should read this provocative case for building business models around sharing." William H. Dutton, Quello Professor of Media and Information Policy, Michigan State University "Matthew David has written a thought-provoking book that challenges the view that property rights are the only solution to the 'tragedy of the commons'. He brings a much needed analytical perspective to the study of the sharing economy and suggests that capitalist societies might just not be the end of history. A fascinating read."Federico Varese, Professor of Criminology, University of Oxford
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781509513222
Publisert
2017-06-02
Utgiver
Vendor
Polity Press
Vekt
454 gr
Høyde
231 mm
Bredde
158 mm
Dybde
20 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
220

Forfatter

Biographical note

Matthew David is Associate Professor of Sociology at Durham University.