Introduction

Antitrust is one of the oldest battlefields in economics. From Rockefeller's Standard Oil to Google's search hegemony, each generation of monopolists has spawned new antitrust weapons.MarxThe analysis of monopoly is more profound than mainstream economics: he does not view monopoly as an "exceptional state" of the market, but rather asCapital AccumulationAndCapital ConcentrationThe inevitable trend. Competition generates monopoly, and monopoly exacerbates competition - this is the inherent dialectics of capitalism.

Digital Intelligence EraMonopoly is the latest manifestation of this law under new technological conditions.Algorithmic Monopoly、Monopoly of computing power、Data Monopoly——It is not a deviation from the logic of capital, but the ultimate unfolding of the logic of capital. In the face of this new form, we need the critical edge of Marxism, and more importantly, the transcendent perspective of traditional Chinese culture, especially“The world is for all.”The social ideal.

The Book of Rites, Book of Rites, "states:" In the course of the great road, the world belongs to the common people. "This is not only a cultural ideal, but also a wise governance. 'The world is for all' means that the ultimate goal of economic activity is not the accumulation of wealth by a few people, but the common well-being of all members of society. Bringing up this topic again in the era of digital intelligence aims to surpass the hijacking of technology by capital logic and enableDigital ProductivityTruly serving all 'carbon based people'.

1、 Computing power is power: the ultimate organic composition of capital and monopoly barriers

1.1 From resource barriers to technological barriers: exclusivity of computing power

The barriers to traditional monopoly lie in resources, channels, and brands, while the hard barriers to monopoly in the digital age areComputing PowerTraining a large model often requires tens of thousands of GPU clusters and billions of dollars in funding, which constitutes a very high costEntering BarriersWhen computing power becomes a means of production that only a few players can afford, the concept of "market power" in Western industrial organization theory has a new carrier - barriers are no longer market share, but technological capabilities themselves.

1.2 "Computing Power Data" Flywheel: Self Strengthening Monopoly Mechanism

What's even more frightening is the dual wheel drive effect of "computing power+data": having computing power allows for processing more data, improving model accuracy and attracting more users, generating more data to feed back the model. This is a self reinforcing positive flywheel. Western economics refers to it as“Network Effect”With“Locking Effect”However, the social cost behind it is often overlooked - small and medium-sized innovators are completely squeezed out of the market.

The Paradox of Organic Composition of Capital and the saying 'When things are strong, they become old'

FromMarxismFrom a perspective, this isOrganic composition of capitalThe extreme manifestation of an increase in the ratio of constant capital to variable capital. In the era of intelligence, the speed at which computing power (constant capital) replaces human power (variable capital) is unprecedented. However, Marx had already revealed that a higher organic composition of capital often accompanies a downward trend in the average rate of profit. Laozi said, "When things are strong, they become old, which means they do not follow the Tao. The Tao Te Ching states that when computing power resources are monopolized by a few giants, innovation vitality may be stifled. This is precisely the Eastern response to the Western "monopoly innovation theory": monopolies that deviate from the "way" of benefiting the majority will eventually end early.

2、 The Black Box of Algorithms: The Invisible Hand of Monopoly and Labor Control

2.1 Soft monopoly: covert behavior that is difficult to prove

If the monopoly of computing power is hard,Algorithmic MonopolyIt is soft, but has greater destructive power. Traditional monopolistic practices, such as price increases and exclusive agreements, are observable and verifiable; And the algorithmic black box conceals monopolistic behavior. A recommendation algorithm can sink competitors to the bottom, while a pricing algorithm can implement a "thousand people, one thousand prices" approach. Users and regulators cannot see the code logic, and it is difficult to prove the platform's "subjective intention", resulting in a huge space for regulatory arbitrage.

2.2 The essence of the black box: the deep masking of the production process by capital

From a Marxist perspective, the essence of the algorithmic black box is the further masking of the production process by capital. Marx pointed out that capitalists cover up exploitation through "management". In the era of digital intelligence, “Algorithm Governance”Push this kind of concealment to the extreme: delivery riders do not know the delivery logic, and ride hailing drivers do not understand the reasons for deduction. Algorithms dissolve the subjectivity of workers, turning them into tools for algorithm execution.

2.3 The double-edged sword of "technique": Han Feizi's warning and the new form of information asymmetry

The Legalist Han Feizi once said, "Those who possess skills should keep them hidden in their hearts, and those who use them to secretly resist the courtiers." ("Han Feizi · Difficulty 3") The platform uses algorithms as "skills" hidden in a black box, secretly controlling users and workers. Han Fei warned that 'one should not be careless with the art of governance', as improper methods of governance can lead to chaos. In the era of digital intelligence“The Art of Algorithms”The same goes for it. Algorithm transparency is not a violation of technological freedom, but a guarantee of the legitimacy of power. hereInformation AsymmetryIt is no longer a simple market failure, but a blatant power asymmetry.

3、 The other pole on the chain: distributed competition and the practical path of "the world is for all"

3.1 Decentralization: the technological possibility of breaking monopolies

Smart capital is not just about centralization.BlockchainTechnology provides another possibility - a distributed and decentralized competitive ecosystem. Unlike the centralized platform of the traditional Internet, the rules on the blockchain are open, transparent and tamper proof. Any developer can deploy the application, and any user can freely choose. In Western public choice theory“Multi Center Governance”We have gained a solid technological foundation here.

3.2 Paradox between Technological Ideals and Reality: New Concentration Risks

From a Marxist perspective, blockchain at least provides technological breakthroughsPrivate ownership of means of productionThe possibility of monopoly - returning data to social ownership. However, 'technological possibility' does not equal 'realistic inevitability'. In reality, top public chains and top DeFi protocols still show a clear concentration trend. Although code is decentralized, computing power, capital, and governance power may still be concentrated in a few people, forming a new system“Digital Oligarch”。

3.3 Institutional guarantee of "the world is for all": from technological tools to value implementation

The Book of Rites: Li Yun“The world is for all.”Ideals have gained new practical fields in the era of digital intelligence. The decentralized nature of blockchain is inherently compatible with this ideal - opposing the monopoly of means of production by a few people. But 'the world is for all' will not automatically come true. Just as Confucianism emphasizes the importance of "cultivating harmony and governing peace", blockchain is just a tool. It is people who truly achieve fairness and justice, and it is the relentless pursuit of common welfare by "carbon based people". Learn from Ostrom's“Common Pool Resources ”In governance theory, we need to build a governance system that combines on chain and off chain to prevent technological alienation and ensure that technology serves the ultimate goal of "serving the world".

Conclusion

Digital Intelligence EraMonopoly is the ultimate expansion of capital logic:Monopoly of computing powerIt is a new form of improving the organic composition of capital,Algorithmic MonopolyIt is a new tool for capital to control labor,Data MonopolyIt is a new form of ownership of means of production. However, the distributed nature of blockchain also provides technological possibilities for breaking monopolies.

WithThe soul of horse studies——Capital Concentration TheoryAndMonopoly Criticism——Revealing the essence of monopoly; borrowThe Application of Western Learning——Industrial Organization TheoryAndMulti Center Governance——Analyze the operating mechanism of monopoly; remitThe 'Body' of Middle School——“The world is for all.”With“The Dao follows nature.”Establish value ideals that transcend monopolies. Only in this way can we open up a theoretical path towards fair competition and common prosperity in the era of algorithms.