ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a critical reading of contemporary collaborative consumption (CC) and sharing economies (SE) literatures and attempt to delineate possible boundaries by referring to classical and contemporary theories and empirical research in these areas. It considers a historical perspective presented through economic collaboration and reciprocities in archaic community exchange. The chapter assesses the current state of CC and SE including the techno-believers' hope in a networked society underlying much of CC and SE as well as the potentiality of societal challenges, increased democracy, inclusive participation, and sustainable environmental development. It examines historical developments from a long-term perspective considering the processes through which the current monetized economy and consumer culture have emerged. The chapter concerns the most significant area of empirical illustration: the categories outlined are illustrative whereby it is possible and indeed probable that studies transcend rigid categories and can be included in various categories.
