Yet the political economy preferred by the New Brandeisians isn't a particularly radical departure from the present. They still want an internet ruled by markets, albeit one where markets are competitive rather than concentrated. The pursuit of profit would remain the organizing principle, but profit would be pursued by smaller and more entrepreneurial firms. And they believe that such a restructuring would go a long way toward addressing the concerns raised by the techlash.

But would it? Nick Srniceck notes that more competition could very well make things worse. "After all, it's competition -- not size -- that demands more data, more attention, more engagement and more profits at all costs," he writes.

— Internet for the People by Ben Tarnoff (Page 152)