Abstract

ORDONEZ, Sergio  and  ORTEGA, Rodrigo. Capitalism of knowledge and free and open source software historicity and new development alternatives for the 21st century. Economía UNAM [online]. 2009, vol.6, n.17, pp.92-112. ISSN 1665-952X.

This paper considers free and open source software (FOSS) as forms of production that have been developing at the center of knowledge capitalism, which constitutes a new phase of development of capitalism. However, foss implies new intensive post-capitalist knowledge production relations that indicate -in a potential historical sense- both the development of production relations that exceed the limits of capitalism (which may become the basis of a new project for an alternative society) and, within the above, the paths for development with a strong social cognitive participation. This last trend is particularly significant for developing countries, from the catching-up perspective. In order to tackle this problem, the distinctive theoretical elements of knowledge capitalism are studied, as well as the crucial role of software. Then, the development of foss and its historical implications for knowledge capitalism are discussed. This is followed by the study of the global development of foss and its specific weight within the software industry. And finally, the most significant experiences of foss incorporation into public policy in developing countries is discussed from the perspective of catching-up, as well its implications for Mexico.