1st Edition
The Privatisation of Knowledge A New Policy Agenda for Health, Energy, and Data Governance
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.
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction: science and social justice
Knowledge as an intangible asset
Where is knowledge produced?
Innovation and financialisation
The role of government
Science and gambling
Policy failures
A new policy agenda
Notes
1. The places of knowledge: from Big Science to research infrastructure
Big Science and the military・industrial complex
The “Geneva model” and its evolution
How university research is changing
How R&D is changing within firms
The social impact of research infrastructure
Science for scientists and the creation of human capital
Direct impact on businesses
Cultural impact and social attitudes towards science
Summing up
Notes
2. Science, inequality, and public policy
The channels of privatisation of knowledge
The new oligopoly and inequality
Corrective policies
Rethinking public enterprise
Internalisation of missions
Ownership and legal form
Governance
Funding
Notes
3. Biomed Europa: medicines that no one else will give us
Priorities
Industry
Governments
Lessons from the pandemic
A proposal
Social benefits and costs
Appendix: some proposals from the European Commission
Notes
4. Green Europa: science and technology for saving the planet
What’s wrong with the planet? And why we don’t know enough about the cure
The European Commission’s strategy and its limitations
The role of cutting-edge research and innovation
The role of the European Union and a proposal
Appendix: The European Space Agency model
Notes
5. Digital Europa: how to get our data back
Introduction
A short history of bits
The digital oligopoly
Missed opportunities
European Commission initiatives and a new proposal
Appendix: Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act
Appendix: the Fraunhofer model
Notes
Conclusion: what can be done?
Note
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Massimo Florio is Professor of Public Economics at the University of Milan, Italy and co-Chair of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on European research and innovation policy.
