Competition among platforms produces four systemic tendencies in the economy
Evidence
Since platforms are grounded upon the extraction of data and the generation of network effects, certain tendencies emerge from the competitive dynamics of these large platforms: expansion of extraction, positioning as a gatekeeper, convergence of markets, and enclosure of ecosystems. These tendencies then go on to be installed in our economic systems. — Nick Srnicek, Platform Capitalism, 82
Categorization
- DEFINE: An explicit list of the four structural tendencies — an organizing framework for the rest of the chapter.
- XREF: connects to: Network effects embed monopoly tendencies directly into platform structure — Nick Srnicek, Platform Capitalism, 80; Platform competition shifts from price to data as the competitive criterion — Nick Srnicek, Platform Capitalism, 81; Platform companies converge into similar forms as they compete for the same data. — Nick Srnicek, Platform Capitalism, 90 (+4 more)
Related
- Platform companies converge into similar forms as they compete for the same data. (similarity 0.87)
- Platform competition shifts from price to data as the competitive criterion (similarity 0.86)
- Network effects embed monopoly tendencies directly into platform structure (similarity 0.83)
- Platforms remain bound to capitalist competition and profitability despite anti-capitalist rhetoric (similarity 0.83)
- Data extraction needs force previously separate platforms into direct competition. (similarity 0.82)
- Falling manufacturing profits drove capitalism toward data extraction via platform monopolies (similarity 0.80)
- Cooperative platforms cannot compete with entrenched data monopolies (similarity 0.79)
- Platforms’ convening power forces all content into platform-ready extractive form. (similarity 0.79)
- Industrial platforms extract data to cement monopolies over global manufacturing (similarity 0.78)
- Monopoly practices protect data supply routes rather than raising prices (similarity 0.78)
Broader Connections
- Neoliberalism makes competition rather than exchange the essence of the market
#corroborates(0.75) — Wendy Brown, Undoing the Demos, 59 - Platform companies converge into similar forms as they compete for the same data.
#expands(0.72) — Nick Srnicek, Platform Capitalism, 90 - Platforms remain bound to capitalist competition and profitability despite anti-capitalist rhetoric
#qualifies(0.72) — Nick Srnicek, Platform Capitalism, 93