Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

chevron_right

#1690 Oligarchy Unmasked: Why Billionaires Hate Democracy and How They're Dismantling It

whatshot 4 snips

Feb 11, 2025

Lindsay Owens, a political analyst, and Waleed Moore, a political commentator, delve into the alarming influence of billionaires on democracy. They discuss how oligarchs like Elon Musk are reshaping governance, often at the expense of the working class. The conversation highlights historical parallels with past industrialists while raising concerns over the role of tech in political manipulation. The need for grassroots activism is emphasized to combat the rising tide of plutocracy and maintain democratic values against the backdrop of wealth-driven power dynamics.

03:00:39

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Oligarchy's Default State

Oligarchy, the rule of the wealthy, is the default state of centralized societies.
Billionaires support figures like Trump because they accelerate the shift from democracy to oligarchy.

insights

INSIGHT

The Great Leveler

Historically, only extreme events like war, revolution, state collapse, or plague have effectively challenged oligarchy.
These events create opportunities to build more egalitarian societies.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Post-War Japan

Post-WWII, the US occupation government implemented democratic reforms in Japan, including land redistribution and unionization.
This ironically fostered a more democratic and successful society there.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Confronting Oligarchy: Historical Lessons and Current Threats

04:36 • 15min

chevron_right

Oligarchy and Technology: The New Power Dynamics

19:12 • 18min

chevron_right

Exploring Historical Parallels: From Industry Titans to Tech Moguls

37:16 • 4min

chevron_right

Historians and the Pursuit of Power

41:29 • 6min

chevron_right

The Separation of Powers and the Threat of Authoritarianism

47:48 • 5min

chevron_right

The Moral Dilemma of Accelerationism in Politics

52:19 • 2min

chevron_right

Oligarchy's Grip on Democracy

54:40 • 27min

chevron_right

Challenging Capitalism: Indigenous Resilience and Technology

01:21:21 • 10min

chevron_right

Echoes of Oligarchy: Lessons from Rome

01:31:03 • 5min

chevron_right

The Algorithmic Divide and Democracy's Erosion

01:36:06 • 20min

chevron_right

The Legacy and Influence of William Jennings Bryan

01:56:19 • 19min

chevron_right

The Erosion of Democracy and Power Dynamics

02:15:27 • 19min

chevron_right

Challenging Enlightenment Ideals

02:34:53 • 21min

chevron_right

Mobilizing Support and the Influence of Silicon Valley on Politics

02:55:53 • 4min

chevron_right

#12481

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Patchwork

A Political System for the 21st Century

Curtis Yarvin

#5381

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Great Leveler

Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the 21st Century

Walter Scheidel

Walter Scheidel's "The Great Leveler" examines the historical relationship between violence and inequality. The book argues that significant reductions in inequality have almost always been preceded by large-scale violent events. Scheidel identifies four key factors—mass-mobilization warfare, transformative revolutions, state collapse, and pandemics—as the primary drivers of wealth redistribution. He analyzes various historical periods, demonstrating how these catastrophic events have reshaped societal structures and wealth distribution. The book challenges conventional wisdom about economic development and inequality, suggesting that peaceful progress alone is insufficient to address deep-seated economic disparities.

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

The Anatomy of Fascism

Robert O. Paxton

In 'The Anatomy of Fascism,' Robert O. Paxton delves into the nature of fascism by examining the actions of fascist movements rather than their ideologies. He surveys how these movements sought followers, formed alliances, and exercised power, highlighting characteristics such as the emphasis on historical grievances, the cult of leadership, mass-based national militant movements, repression of democratic liberties, and the use of violence. Paxton also explores why fascists came to power in some countries but not others and whether fascism could exist outside its early-twentieth-century European context. The book is based on a lifetime of research and provides a comprehensive understanding of fascism, its variations, and its implications for modern history.

#18113

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Historian

Elizabeth Kostova

The Historian is a complex, multi-layered novel that interweaves the history and folklore of Vlad Țepeș, the medieval ruler known as 'Vlad the Impaler', and his fictional equivalent Count Dracula. The story is told through multiple narratives, including letters and oral accounts, spanning different time periods from the 1930s to the 1970s. It follows the journey of a young girl and her father as they search for clues about Dracula's existence, traveling through Europe and uncovering historical secrets and mysteries. The novel explores themes of history, folklore, and the nature of good and evil, set against a backdrop of European history and academic research.

#52

• Mentioned in 155 episodes

Dune

Frank Herbert

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.

#50

• Mentioned in 157 episodes

Atlas Shrugged

Ayn Rand

Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.

#53

• Mentioned in 155 episodes

null

Sir Michael Howard

#14125

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

America, The Farewell Tour

Chris Hedges

#648

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

The Network vs. The State

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Butterfly Revolution

Curtis Yarvin

#62667

Sherman Antitrust Act

Senator Sherman

#26269

Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific 1941 to 1942

Speaker 11

Air Date 2/11/2025

The very rich, as has been noted before, are not on the side of regular people. And even if you think that the federal government needs a major reboot, no one but the ultra-wealthy are going to be happy with what they build in the aftermath of the administrative coup currently underway.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Full Show Notes | Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

Join our Discord community!

ACTIVISM ROUNDUP

KEY POINTS

KP 1: How Oligarchs Took Over The World - Double Down News - Air Date 1-9-25

KP 2: Is Elon Musk Staging a Coup? Unelected Billionaire Seizes Control at Treasury Dept. & Other Agencies - Democracy Now! - Air Date 2-3-25

KP 3: The Oligarchy's Power is Waking America Up - Velshi - Air Date 1-27-25

KP 4: DARK GOTHIC MAGA: How Tech Billionaires Plan to Destroy America Part 1 - Blonde Politics | The Silly Serious - Air Date 11-13-24

KP 5: Why the Tech Bros Allied with Trump - Zeteo - Air Date 2-2-25