--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My core argument is that most assessments…" description: "\"“My core argument is that most assessments of the Internet fail to ground it in political economy; they fail to understand the importance of capitalism..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/robert-w-mcchesney-87473_economics_my-core-argument-is-that-most-assessment_1106283.jpg" --- # My core argument is that most assessments of the Internet… ![“My core argument is that most assessments of the Internet fail to ground it in political economy; they fail to understand the importance of capitalism in shaping and, for lack of a better term, domesticating the Internet. When capitalism is mentioned, it is usually as the “free market,” which is…” quote by Robert W. McChesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/robert-w-mcchesney-87473_economics_my-core-argument-is-that-most-assessment_1106283.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/robert-w-mcchesney-87473_economics_my-core-argument-is-that-most-assessment_1106283.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/robert-w-mcchesney-87473_economics_my-core-argument-is-that-most-assessment_1106283.jpg) > ““My core argument is that most assessments of the Internet fail to ground it in political economy; they fail to understand the importance of capitalism in shaping and, for lack of a better term, domesticating the Internet. When capitalism is mentioned, it is usually as the “free market,” which is taken as a benevolent given, almost a synonym for democracy. The conventional discussion of capitalism often degenerates into a bunch of clichés and is only loosely related to the capitalism that really exists.”” Robert W. McChesney ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Internet analysis often ignores capitalism’s role, treating it as a free market and equating it with democracy, which oversimplifies its political economy. **In simple terms:** Capitalism shapes the internet more than free market myths. Key Takeaway Critically examine economic forces behind tech. Themes political economy media capitalism Mood analytical critical Type academic political When to use this quote - policy making - academic research - media literacy programs Key Concepts critical theory media studies digital governance Questions to Reflect On - How does capitalism affect online freedom? - What alternatives to free market narratives exist? A Different Perspective Capitalist motives may be mitigated by regulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Free market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-market/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Political economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-economy/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [I think we really made a mistake in separating the Internet from capitalism in a certain way that is bad for our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-dyson/i-think-we-really-made-a-mistake-in-separating-the-internet-from/) [Esther Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-dyson/) > [I'm tired of this discussion of capitalism and socialism; we live in the 21st century, we need an economic system that has democracy as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-m-tired-of-this-discussion-of-capitalism-and-socialism-we-live-in/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Here's what I don't think works: An economic system that was founded in the 16th century and another that was founded in the 19th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/here-s-what-i-don-t-think-works-an-economic-system-that-was-founded/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [“Political economy tends to see work in capitalist societies as divided between two spheres: wage labor, for which the paradigm is always factories, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-graeber/political-economy-tends-to-see-work-in-capitalist-societies-as/) [David Graeber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-graeber/) > [Nearly half the earth's surface is unclaimed by any country, so seasteads would be startup countries on the blue frontier. 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