Authors and Corporations: | |
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In: | tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique. Open Access Journal for a Global Sustainable Information Society, 17, 2019, 2, p. 1-17 |
published: |
Information Society Research
|
Media Type: | Article, E-Article |
Physical Description: | 1-17 |
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ISSN: |
1726-670X
|
DOI: | 10.31269/triplec.v17i2.1097 |
published in: | tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique. Open Access Journal for a Global Sustainable Information Society |
Language: | Undetermined |
Subjects: | |
Collection: | Information Society Research (CrossRef) |
<jats:p>Uber’s programme of planetary expansion rapidly captures users and integrates cities. Like other platforms, Uber privileges growth at all costs in order to spin up a set of self-reinforcing dynamics like virtuous cycles and network effects. However, drawing on Arrighi, Hobson, and Arendt, Uber can also be understood as a contemporary incarnation of imperialism. Platforms extend their territories in a programme of aggressive expansion rationalized by future financial gains. The article combines these self-perpetuating technical dynamics with the self-expanding logics of empire. Against the assumed brilliance of founders and the strategic innovation of start-ups, this framing highlights some of the uncontrolled forces and overarching imperatives that both invest and constrain platforms.</jats:p> |