The Spirit of Digital Capitalism

Digital technologies are central to capitalism, leading to new forms of capital accumulation and domination. This book explores how business gurus, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists promote and justify these changes, arguing that digital capitalism is Janus-faced, promising to liberate and surveil us, enrich and render our lives more economically precarious.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

Digital technologies have become integral to the workings of capitalism, giving rise to novel modes of capital accumulation and dominance. This book delves into these developments, exploring how digital technologies enable new forms of economic accumulation. It also examines the ideological shifts that have accompanied the emergence of digital capitalism, examining how business gurus, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists promote the benefits of digital technologies, such as increased efficiency and connectivity, while often disregarding concerns about privacy and liberty. Huberman argues that the spirit of digital capitalism is paradoxical, offering both liberation and surveillance, enrichment and economic precariousness.

This book is insightful and thought-provoking, offering fresh perspectives on contemporary capitalism, particularly for students and scholars of economic anthropology and sociology. It sheds light on the complex dynamics between digital technologies, economic power, and societal values, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of modern capitalism.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509553969