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The politics of platform capitalism: A case study on the regulation of Uber in New York

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  • Timo Seidl

Abstract

Platform companies like Uber not only disrupt existing markets but also contest existing regulatory regimes. This raises the question of how, when, and why such companies are regulated. This article develops, tests, and defends a theoretical framework that explains the politics of regulatory response to the rise of platform capitalism. Using discourse network analysis and a case study on the regulation of Uber in New York, it shows that the success or failure of regulations depends on the ability of actors to mobilize broad coalition; that narratives affect the composition of these coalitions; and that platform companies have both unique political strengths and vulnerabilities. This article makes substantive contributions to our understanding of the politics of platform capitalism, and it makes theoretical contributions to the literature studies on coalitional politics, ideational institutionalism, and business power.

Suggested Citation

  • Timo Seidl, 2022. "The politics of platform capitalism: A case study on the regulation of Uber in New York," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), pages 357-374, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:16:y:2022:i:2:p:357-374
    DOI: 10.1111/rego.12353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Soltanzadeh, Javad & Blind, Knut & Elyasi, Mehdi, 2023. "Exploring how regulators face platform business issues in the lifecycle stages: Evidence of iranian ride-hailing platform business," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(7).
    3. Geraint Harvey & Naveena Prakasam & Refat Shakirzhanov, 2025. "Serf‐ing the Net: Contrasting Uber Workers in the United Kingdom With Uber Neo‐Villeins in Ontario," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(5), pages 353-362, September.
    4. Sun, Shouheng & Wang, Zhenqin & Wang, Weicai, 2023. "The impact of regulatory policy on the growth of ride-hailing platform: System dynamics perspective," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 632(P2).
    5. Céleste Bonnamy, 2026. "Democracy Versus Diplomacy? The Involvement of External Actors in Trilogue Negotiations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(2), pages 603-622, March.
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    7. Meng‐Hsuan Chou & Catherine Gomes, 2023. "Politics of on‐demand food delivery: Policy design and the power of algorithms," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 40(5), pages 646-664, September.
    8. María Barrero-Rescalvo & Ibán Díaz-Parra, 2024. "Short-term rentals’ supply-side structure and the struggle for rent appropriation: Insights from Andalusia, Spain," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(2), pages 508-524, March.

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