Gig Workers and Policies of Minimal Social Dislocation. Issue 2 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spithoven, Antoon
• Is Part Of: Journal of economic issues. Volume 55:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 516
• Page End: 523
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Veblen -- Commons -- libertarianism -- American dream -- digital platforms; A13 -- B52 -- D63 -- F16; Economics -- Periodicals; Economics; Économie politique -- Périodiques; Economie; ECONOMICS; ECONOMIC POLICY; Periodicals; 330.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00213624.2021.1919853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-3624

Abstract

Abstract: My analysis of the process of digital "platformization" of economies is framed in Thorstein Veblen's theory of economic evolution and John R. Commons' concept of reasonableness. I conclude that digital platformization of economies is rooted in a deliberately decided liberalization of markets. The consequences of liberalization require a fundamental revision of economic policy and socio-economic institutions if one wants to create permanent jobs with good social security provisions, and/or to establish reasonable income/wealth differentials.