2 Production, Circulation, and the Science of Forms: Theoretical Foundations
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Paško Bilić
Abstract
The starting point of the research presented in this book is defined by the simple fact that the platform economy, however one conceptualizes it, has been a part of the capitalist landscape for more than two decades. This empirical reality can be approached from different theoretical traditions and levels of inquiry. Our principal goal is to show that this relatively new reality of contemporary capitalism can become intelligible within the Marxian theoretical framework, and that, in turn, the Marxian approach is responsive enough to include insights from other theoretical traditions and schools of thought. We start from a rather abstract level of Marxian theory of value and social forms in order to proceed to the more concrete features of actually existing platform capitalism. Starting from the presentation of the inner workings of the Marxian research programme is important for several reasons. Most importantly, delineating key assumptions brings more epistemic clarity. Furthermore, certain strands of post-Marxism, most notably Postoperaismo and proponents of the cognitive capitalism hypothesis, have formulated their understanding of the so-called knowledge economy on the assumption that Marxian value theory, in its most prominent aspects, is obsolete.
We will have more to say about the issues raised by Postoperaismo and related approaches in Chapter 4, but for now it will suffice to show that the key notions and concepts of the Marxian theory can be used to explain the rise and functioning of platform capitalism.
Abstract
The starting point of the research presented in this book is defined by the simple fact that the platform economy, however one conceptualizes it, has been a part of the capitalist landscape for more than two decades. This empirical reality can be approached from different theoretical traditions and levels of inquiry. Our principal goal is to show that this relatively new reality of contemporary capitalism can become intelligible within the Marxian theoretical framework, and that, in turn, the Marxian approach is responsive enough to include insights from other theoretical traditions and schools of thought. We start from a rather abstract level of Marxian theory of value and social forms in order to proceed to the more concrete features of actually existing platform capitalism. Starting from the presentation of the inner workings of the Marxian research programme is important for several reasons. Most importantly, delineating key assumptions brings more epistemic clarity. Furthermore, certain strands of post-Marxism, most notably Postoperaismo and proponents of the cognitive capitalism hypothesis, have formulated their understanding of the so-called knowledge economy on the assumption that Marxian value theory, in its most prominent aspects, is obsolete.
We will have more to say about the issues raised by Postoperaismo and related approaches in Chapter 4, but for now it will suffice to show that the key notions and concepts of the Marxian theory can be used to explain the rise and functioning of platform capitalism.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables iv
- Preface v
- Introduction: The Context of Digital Monopolies 1
- Production, Circulation, and the Science of Forms: Theoretical Foundations 21
- Marxian Perspectives on Monopolies 59
- Platforms, Advertising, and Users 75
- Financialization and Regulation 99
- Controlling, Processing, and Commercializing Data 129
- Conclusion: Contradictions and Alternatives to Data Commodification 157
- Notes 177
- References 189
- Index 219
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables iv
- Preface v
- Introduction: The Context of Digital Monopolies 1
- Production, Circulation, and the Science of Forms: Theoretical Foundations 21
- Marxian Perspectives on Monopolies 59
- Platforms, Advertising, and Users 75
- Financialization and Regulation 99
- Controlling, Processing, and Commercializing Data 129
- Conclusion: Contradictions and Alternatives to Data Commodification 157
- Notes 177
- References 189
- Index 219
