Open source software has many advantages: Its function, functionality and correctness can be reviewed. It is instructive and adaptable and can be assembled into a full featured operating system with many software application (giving the impression to be) under the user’s (my) control.
On the other hand, as John Mark pointed out, it increases income inequality, because all larger tech companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook made their fortune on the shoulders of open source software like GNU/Linux. There is a tremendous concentration of power within these Silicone Valley companies influencing politics to protect their businesses and escape from tax paying duties.
Instead of increasing democracy and income equality, open source software has created these tech monsters, which are controlling our communication, political views and shopping habits.
However, open source software is not the only party to blame: There is a lot of public infrastructure (streets, rails, electricity, gas, internet, TV, …) and cheap and powerful computer hardware, which are also enabling good and bad developments in our current world. No computer company would exist or ever sell anything without reliable power supply.
We urgently need politicians with a clear vision to distribute income more equally before the Trumps, Bolsonaros, Orbans, LePens, Wilders, Kickls, Salvinis are taking over the world. Unfortunately the majority of North- and South-America, and half of Europe are already taken, while the other half is struggling for life.
We need (1) better patent laws, in particular banning software patents, and careful selection and legal enforcement of open source licenses. Another important step is (2) taxing tech giants (After forming a shameful coalition with the Austrian right wing party, our chancellor Kurz finally had a good idea). (3) Strengthen quality media and fight against political campaigns in social media. (4) Support net neutrality, which is an important pillar of democracy.
