Conflicts in the Knowledge Society

Sebastian Haunss demonstrates how intellectual property conflicts have brought about new cleavages in the knowledge society and new collective actors.

Combining a theoretical perspective with in-depth empirical studies, Sebastian Haunss discusses how conflicts over intellectual property issues such as access to medicines, the emergence of Pirate Parties and the creation of Creative Commons are linked to more general social conflicts in the knowledge society.In Conflicts in the Knowledge Society, Sebastian Haunss demonstrates how conflicts relating to the international system of intellectual property have resulted in new cleavages in the knowledge society. Furthermore, he argues that new collective actors have emerged from these conflicts with the ability to contest the existing dominant order. With a focus on political opportunity structures, collective action networks and framing strategies, he combines a theoretical discussion of social change in the knowledge society with empirical analyses of four recent developments: software patents in Europe, access to medicines, Creative Commons licensing and Pirate Parties.