Synopsis
"Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age" is a non-fiction book written by Susan P. Crawford, an American legal scholar and Internet policy expert. The book focuses on the state of the telecommunications industry in the United States, and how it has become dominated by a few large corporations with significant market power.
Crawford argues that the concentration of power in the telecommunications industry has had negative consequences for both consumers and the economy. She details how the industry has become dominated by a few large players, including Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T, who have used their market power to stifle competition, limit consumer choice, and drive up prices. This concentration of power has also had negative implications for the wider economy, as it has stifled innovation and hindered economic growth.
The book also discusses the role of government regulation in the telecommunications industry. Crawford argues that government regulation has been essential in ensuring that the industry remains competitive and that consumers are protected from the excesses of large corporations. However, she notes that in recent years, there has been a trend towards deregulation, which has further consolidated the power of the telecommunications giants.
Overall, "Captive Audience" offers a damning indictment of the telecommunications industry in the United States, arguing that it is in urgent need of reform if it is to serve the best interests of consumers and the wider economy. The book is well-researched and well-written, and offers a thought-provoking and compelling analysis of a crucially important issue.