It's Time for Spain to Embrace the Sharing Economy - An Outsider's Perspective

Abstract

Technological advances, evolving economic behaviors, social factors, and environmental concerns all suggest that the sharing economy is here to stay. Rather than banning the operations of sharing economy firms, or imposing an excessive regulatory framework on their operations, Spain should work with these companies to devise solutions that address regulatory concerns and that allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of the sharing economy. The sooner Spain fully embraces it, the sooner Spain can enjoy its welfare-enhancing virtues.

This Article addresses the economics underlying the sharing economy, its concomitant benefits, and the manner in which Spanish authorities have addressed the operations of sharing economy firms to date.

Keywords: Sharing Economy, Spain, Collaborative Economy, Uber, Airbnb