Digital Economic Policy : The Economics of Digital Markets from a European Union Perspective

The emergence of new technologies and business models has required a pro-active role from public authorities in defining the rules of evolving markets before issues cement. This book surveys the key areas of the digital economy that demand policy action, such as AI, cybersecurity, and e-commerce, and the EU long term strategic plans to govern them.

The emergence of new technologies and business models such as data analytics, online platforms, and artificial intelligence has shaken the economy and society at their foundations. Recently, it has become apparent that public authorities must take a pro-active role to define the rules of the newly emerged markets before potential issues and concerns cement. How rules are currently written determines who will exert a stronger influence on the economy and society in the coming years. This is key reason why digital policymakers are currently exposed to tremendous pressure by stakeholders.This book takes a journey through all the main areas in the digital economy that beg for policy action. Readers may learn about the general features of a digital economy and the EU long term strategic plans to govern it. They may learn about telecom markets, the data economy, the digitization of the public sector, cybersecurity, the platform economy, liability for online content, e-commerce, the sharing economy, the impact of technology on labour markets, digital inequality, disinformation, and artificial intelligence.This book provides students with the background knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand, analyse, and assess the impact of EU digital policies on the European economy and society. The approach is both theoretical and applied. The main goal is to prepare students to give informed and economically sound advice to an EU policymaker for digital affairs.