The Privatisation of Knowledge

A New Policy Agenda for Health, Energy, and Data Governance

Massimo Florio

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781032464053
• eBook ISBN: 9781000966893
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Economía
• Subtopic: Negocios en general

This book deals with the emergence of intellectual monopolies. It explores different ways of producing knowledge, thus showing alternatives to the current dominant paradigm which is based on turning knowledge produced collectively into intangible assets, owned by a few leading corporations. It discusses a paradox: knowledge creation by government-sponsored research infrastructures (RI) or by non-profit institutions, including universities, is increasingly appearing in the form of "open science" - ideas and data are widely available in the public domain. However, such knowledge is privatised downstream by new oligopolies. These oligopolies, such as the Tech Giants, are protected by legislation on intellectual property rights that restricts further access to knowledge. This process contributes to increasing social inequality.

The book suggests alternative policy options to counteract this process: the design of new players with a public mission and a coalition of governments as patient investors for the long-term benefit not just of the citizens of one jurisdiction but for creating global public goods. Proposals are presented for launching European R&D infrastructures related to three major long-term challenges: health risks, climate change and Big Data governance. These knowledge-intensive enterprises should offer innovation as a public good, for example in new biomedical fields underinvested by private firms, disruptive 'green' technologies, digital platforms based on transparent users' ownership of data.

Offering a balanced combination of theories and practical applications including interesting case studies, the book will appeal to students, scholars and researchers of public economics and governance. It will also find an audience among policymakers, practitioners and government officials.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• List of tables
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction: Science and social justice
• 1 The places of knowledge: From Big Science to research infrastructure
• 2 Science, inequality, and public policy
• 3 Biomed Europa: Medicines that no one else will give us
• 4 Green Europa: Science and technology for saving the planet
• 5 Digital Europa: How to get our data back
• Conclusion: What can be done?
• Bibliography
• Index