Impolitic with John Heilemann

Scott Galloway: Oligarchy Or Bust

Jan 17, 2025
Scott Galloway, a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and bestselling author, joins to discuss America's grim path toward oligarchy and kleptocracy. He argues that the dangers posed by Mark Zuckerberg's rollback on content moderation far exceed those of Elon Musk's changes to X. Galloway shares insights on the responsibilities of tech moguls in a society plagued by income inequality and misinformation. Plus, they musingly relate the joys of Great Dane parenthood and the genius of David Lynch, tying personal anecdotes to broader societal critiques.
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INSIGHT

Oligarchy and Kleptocracy

  • The US is becoming an oligarchy and a kleptocracy, with power concentrated in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy individuals.
  • This power imbalance can create a downward spiral, where incentives for criticizing those in power diminish, leading to further democratic erosion.
ANECDOTE

Bezos and Rule of Law

  • Jeff Bezos's quashing of The Washington Post's endorsement of Kamala Harris reflects a concerning belief that the rule of law is weakening.
  • Bezos's actions suggest a fear of being targeted, highlighting the erosion of democratic safeguards.
INSIGHT

Tech Bros and Trump

  • Tech billionaires attending Trump's inauguration, despite his past actions, demonstrates the idolatry of wealth over character and patriotism.
  • Their presence suggests a belief that their success is self-made, not a product of American systems, absolving them from speaking out.
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