Ideology in My Controversy

In the following post I will use the knowledge the I have obtained from reading many articles and writing three blog posts on the controversy of Uber, in order to analyze my controversy as a whole.

Hawk, Thomas, "Taxi Line." 2/28/2015 via Flickr. Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic

Who is involved in the controversy?

• It is clear that this controversy is based around the bitter relationship between Uber and standard Taxi Companies.

Who are some of the major speakers/writers within these groups?

• Since the dispute between Uber and Taxi services has become a world-wide battle, there are no major speakers within these groups. The same power struggle is being fought and won by so many different individuals from different sides everyday. 

What kind of social/cultural/economical/political power does each group hold?

• Uber appeals to a younger, more hip, and economically aware generation , while standard taxi companies appeal to the more mature clientele, who are accustomed to a routine, and wouldn't appreciate the change in familiarity that Uber represents. More liberal individuals, who tend to appreciate evolutions within their culter, will side with Uber. While, taxi companies have more power within the conservative community.

What resources are available to different positions?

• Uber has the resources of technology, and driver freedom/discretion on its side. While typical taxi services have the resources of experience and reputability on their side.

What does each group value?

• Uber values the opinions of their customers, because it decides whether a driver is still fit to work for the company, based on these reviews. While the standard taxi companies value stability for their employees, as portrayed by their willingness to supply their emplyees with consistent and reliable benefits. 

Is there a power differential between the groups?

• The only real differences in power is that Uber has adapted to the technological age and seems to be providing a service that has been provided to the masses for many years, merely in a new and refreshing way.  

Is there any acknowledged common ground between groups?

• The only pieces of acknowledged common ground is that both Uber, and standard cab companies like to make money, and that they provide somewhat similar services to their clients.

Is there any unacknowledged common ground?

• Yes, if the two sides of this bitter debate just acknowledged that they would be more prosperous as allies than enemies. I feel that both sides could learn beneficial lessons from one another and that they could save their money, rather than spending it on legal fees.

Do the various groups listen to each other?

• It seems like the only way that these two groups will listen to each other is in the courtroom. The two groups make it seem as though there is no way to resolve conflicts, other than accusin one another of breaking the law.