Policy Press

Platform Politics

Corporate Power, Grassroots Movements and the Sharing Economy

By Luke Yates

Published

Nov 29, 2024

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1529236156

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Nov 29, 2024

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1529236149

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Nov 29, 2024

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1529236163

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Platform Politics

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 this important topic, and imagines the different possible futures of the platform economy.

Luke Yates is Lecturer in Sociology at The University of Manchester.

1. Introducing Platform Politics

2. Contested stories of platform capitalism: crisis, legitimacy and platform rhetoric

3. Trajectories of struggle around lean platforms: making sense of change

4. The practices of platform power: a typology

5. Can you manufacture a movement? Platform power at Airbnb

6. The futures of platform politics