Why India Gives Uber 5 Stars

IN DEVELOPED NATIONS, the so-called gig economy has become a controversial and polarizing topic. The argument in favor is well known, especially for consumers: Uber has made it easier to hail a ride; TaskRabbit provides instant armies of plumbers, painters, and cleaners; Postmates delivers gourmet food to one’s door; and so on. The gig economy provides obvious benefits for workers, too: flexible hours, an efficient workday, and a giant marketplace for labor.

But it also comes with numerous drawbacks. Workers in the gig economy have no job security and, in most cases, lack common workplace benefits, including pensions, life insurance, and health care. There is no natural career progression as there would be on a typical corporate ladder. Capital expenditures—such