This book explores the multiple challenges that the global technology shift is posing to the EU. From the vantage point of experts from economics, law, and political science, this book provides insights into the role that the EU is and ought to be playing in regulating global platform companies, addressing taxation in the digital economy, mitigating job displacements on the labour market, and tackling ethical concerns of artificial intelligence and the prospect of digital democracy. All chapters are based on up-to-date research findings and succinct assessment of ongoing debates. They conclude with policy recommendations for policy makers on European and national levels.
Author(s): Antonina Bakardjieva Engelbrekt, Karin Leijon, Anna Michalski, Lars Oxelheim
Edition: 1
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2021
Language: English
Commentary: TruePDF
Pages: 264
Tags: European Politics; Legislative And Executive Politics; European Law; Public Policy; Political Economy/Economic Systems
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
Chapter 1: What Does the Technological Shift Have in Store for the EU? Opportunities and Pitfalls for European Societies
Introduction
Technological Development in Historical Perspective
The EU and the Technological Shift During the 2010s
What Resources Does the EU Possess for Handling the Technological Shift?
Dimensions of the Technological Challenge Facing the EU
Conclusions
References
Chapter 2: Technological Megashift and the EU: Threats, Vulnerabilities and Fragmented Responsibilities
Megashift
Technology Is Neither Good, Bad or Neutral
Antagonism in the Fully Wired Digital Society
Surveillance Society
Vulnerabilities, Crashes and System Collapse
Public-Private Technology and Accountability
Holistic, Responsible and Non-deterministic Care in Outsourcing
References
Chapter 3: Technological Discontinuities and the Climate Transition in Europe: The Role of Policy in Two Traditions of Economic Thinking
Introduction
The Development of Wind and Solar Power in Denmark and Germany
Technological Discontinuities and Industrial Transformation: Weaknesses in the EU Commission’s Analytical Perspective
Technological Innovation Systems: An Alternative Analytical Perspective
Lessons from the Two Partly Contradictory Ways of Economic Thinking
A Demand for Carefully Designed, Directed, Coordinated and Adaptable Policies
References
Chapter 4: AI in the EU: Ethical Guidelines as a Governance Tool
Introduction: Why Ethics Guidelines?
From Area of Research to Regulatory Concept
What Is It That Needs to Be Governed?
What Does AI Governance Entail? Keeping Society-in-the-Loop
Ethics Guidelines
The EU and Trustworthy AI
An Ecosystem of Trust? Risk and Transparency
Levelled or Binary Risk-Approach?
The Multifaceted Transparency
Summing up: From Principles to Effective Implementation
From Principle to Procedure
The Need for a Multidisciplinary Approach
Legal Adaptability in Times of Change
References
Chapter 5: How Does the EU Protect Competition in the Digital Platform Economy?
Introduction
The Digital Economy in Europe and Elsewhere
General or Sector-Specific Competition Law
Abuse of Dominance
Institutional Problems with Competition Law
Why Competition Law Does Not Suffice to Address the Problem of Accessing and Porting Data
Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: Digitalisation, Productivity and Jobs: A European Perspective
Introduction
EU Initiatives Related to a Digitalisation-Driven Structural Transformation
Digitalisation and Firms
Digitalisation and Jobs
Product Market, Financial Market and Regional Effects
Lessons from Economics Regarding the EU’s Ongoing Digitalisation-Driven Structural Transformation
EU-Wide Policy Coordination Is Essential for a Successful Digitalisation-Driven Structural Transformation
The Technology Shift Requires an Improved Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the EU
References
Chapter 7: Technological Shifts and the Social Partners: Is the European Semester Heading Towards a Social Europe?
Introduction
Technological Shifts and EU Governance Mechanisms
What Is the European Semester?
How Can Actors’ Role in the Process Be Understood?
The Social Partners and the European Semester
The European Semester and the Social Partners: Concluding Remarks
Clear Guidelines for Participation in the European Semester
References
Chapter 8: Money for Nothin’: Digitalization and Fluid Tax Bases
Introduction
Digitalization Amplifies Economic Forces
Intangible Knowledge Exceed Physical Capital
Falling Wage Share of Labour Reduces the Pie That Can Be Taxed
Pressures Within International Corporate Taxation
The Challenge of Gig Jobs and Platform Services
Erosion of Tax Bases Should be Taken More Seriously
Policy Conclusions
References
Chapter 9: New Tax on Digital Services: A Step Towards Fairer Taxation in the EU’s Single Market?
Introduction
Underlying Reasons for the Proposed Special Tax on Digital Services in the EU
What Does Fair Taxation of Digital Companies Within the EU Mean?
EU Legislative Proposals for a New Tax on Digital Services
National Initiatives of Individual Member States
Comparison to Value Added Taxation of Digital Services
From Corporate Taxation to an Indirect Tax on Digital Services: Implications for How the Single Market Functions
Tax Reform Is Necessary: But Taxation Where Value Is Created Does Not Guarantee Fairness
References
Chapter 10: Digital Democracy and the European Union
Introduction
Democracy and the Internet: From Utopia to Dystopia
The EU and Digital Democracy: 2000–2019
The European Citizens’ Consultations: Great Ambitions, Little Impact
The European Citizens’ Initiative: More Powerful Than the EU Expected?
Concluding Discussion
References
Index
