The influence of large tech-companies in society is undeniable. The emergence and development of the digital economy marks a paradigm-shift towards a more connected and fluid ‘platform society’. New challenges stem from rapid technological developments, the combination of economic and digital power, and arise from a combination of unprecedented data-collection and the indispensability of pivotal platforms for both market-participants and citizens. This impacts both markets and democracy.
Even though the challenges are urgent, law struggles to find answers. This is true also for European competition law, which aims to combat the negative effects of market power. However, as is hypothesised in this project, powerful tech-companies give rise to a new type of power: ‘Modern Bigness’. It impacts both market values and non-market values, such as freedom and democracy.
This course will examine the power of big tech companies (Google, Meta, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft) and the concerns they raise in digital markets and society through the European competition law lens. It will introduce the theory of Modern Bigness, which rests on the premise that the power of big tech companies entangles economic, social, political and private elements thereby leading to challenges that cannot be fully grasped by existing competition law tools. Throughout the week, we will explore the main concepts of competition law (substantial, procedural and philosophical) and connect them to the themes of Modern Bigness.
Application
For this course you are required to upload the following documents when applying:
- Motivation Letter
- C.V.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.