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Thoughts on Sharing Economy
By Adriana Solo
In recent years, mobile applications and Web sites have made it easier and cheaper for people to do things like get a ride, find a place to stay, or arrange a babysitter. Referred to as "the sharing economy," this new Internet-dependent system brings more wage-earning opportunities to a wider range of people. However, as the practice of purchasing services from individual people rather than conventional businesses grows in popularity, some municipalities have opted to regulate it, or even ban it outright.
Ghorinburg, for instance, has emerged as a strong opponent of the sharing economy and the local government has prohibited residents from participating in it. Mayor of the city, Robert Smollet, who became mayor last year in a landslide victory, says that its advantages are not as great as they seem on the surface. "When you can hire someone to work on a freelance basis for a lower rate, why bother going to a company that will charge much more? Ultimately, the sharing economy can cause businesses to close and the people who work for them to lose their jobs."
Ghorinburg does not stand alone, as other municipalities across the nation are following suit. In smaller cities, like Browenville, Marog, and Quentintown, where local businesses play a vital role in the growth of the economy, restrictions have likewise been adopted. Only time will tell whether attitudes remain this way, as technology is certain to spread to even more aspects of our lives.