Towards a Theory of Digital Network De/centralization: Platform-Infrastructure Lessons Drawn from Blockchain

119 Pages Posted: 24 Dec 2019

See all articles by Enrico Rossi

Enrico Rossi

Financial Conduct Authority

Carsten Sørensen

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

Date Written: December 13, 2019

Abstract

Global digital platforms are conquering the world and rely critically on digital infrastructures to function, yet little research has explored the fundamental interrelationship between the two. This working paper argues that understanding centralization and decentralization in digital networks as asymmetry and symmetry in mutual interdependencies between the constitutive elements of a digital network can help us understand the platform-infrastructure relationship more fundamentally (and vice versa). To this end, the paper proposes, as a starting point, the in-depth analytical and literature study of blockchain networks as a particularly revealing type of digital platform/infrastructure duality. The paper proposes an analytical model for characterizing de/centralization in digital networks and maps this onto blockchain networks. Based on this, the paper explores the de/centralization of blockchain, arguing that the extant blockchain literature largely has failed in providing a comprehensive understanding of de/centralization by not considering the complex second-order interdependencies between the different constitutive dimensions of a blockchain: the symbolic, technological and political dimension. Based on this, the paper provides an analysis of the meaning of de/centralization in blockchain networks by studying the interdependencies between its constitutive elements of coin, network technology, and social community.

Keywords: Digital Networks, Blockchain Analytical Framework, Definition, Decentralization, Digital Infrastructure, Digital Platform

Suggested Citation

Rossi, Enrico and Sorensen, Carsten, Towards a Theory of Digital Network De/centralization: Platform-Infrastructure Lessons Drawn from Blockchain (December 13, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3503609 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3503609

Enrico Rossi (Contact Author)

Financial Conduct Authority ( email )

25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London, E14 5HS
United Kingdom

Carsten Sorensen

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) ( email )

Houghton Street
Department of Management
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://carstensorensen.com

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