Quinn Slobodian, a historian at Boston University and author of "Crack-Up Capitalism," dives into the drastic intertwining of capitalism and politics in today's climate. He reveals the alarming ambitions of Silicon Valley elites during Trump’s second term and their vision of a democracy-free capitalist society. The discussion broaches topics like the rise of a startup-like governance model, the impact of big tech on political allegiance, and the tension between economic freedom and democratic values in contemporary policy-making.
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insights INSIGHT
Seasteading and Democracy
Peter Thiel believes democracy and freedom are incompatible.
He funds projects like the Seasteading Institute, aiming to create autonomous societies.
insights INSIGHT
Transforming the US
The Silicon Valley elite's vision has shifted from creating new states to influencing the US government.
They aim to adapt the US to their interests, potentially decentralizing power.
insights INSIGHT
Centralized Power and Unequal Distribution
Trump's centralized decision-making can create unequal distribution of resources.
This aligns with the Silicon Valley approach of using the state to direct investments.
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In this book, Francis Fukuyama posits that human history is moving towards a state of idealized harmony through the mechanisms of liberal democracy. He argues that liberal democracy is the final form of human government, driven by two powerful forces: the logic of modern science and the struggle for recognition. Fukuyama draws on the philosophical ideas of Hegel and Kojeve, suggesting that liberal democracy meets the economic and psychological needs of humanity, including the desire for recognition and dignity. The book explores the implications of this thesis, including the potential paradox that the satisfaction of basic needs might lead to a lack of outlets for human striving and recognition[2][3][5].
Crack Up Capitalism, Market Radicals, and the Dream of a World Without Democracy
Quinn Slobodian
Globalists
The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism
Quinn Slobodian
In 'Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism,' Quinn Slobodian challenges the common perception that neoliberals aim to shrink government and abolish regulations. Instead, he argues that neoliberalism emerged to redeploy government and regulatory frameworks at a global level to protect and expand capitalism. The book follows a group of thinkers from the ashes of the Habsburg Empire to the formation of the World Trade Organization, highlighting their efforts to create supranational institutions that insulate global markets from national governments and democratic demands. Slobodian's work provides a nuanced analysis of the 'Geneva School' of neoliberalism and its impact on global economic integration and democracy[1][2][5].
The Sovereign Individual
Mastering the Transition to the Information Age
James Dale Davidson
William Rees-Mogg
The book explores the greatest economic and political transition in centuries, predicting the shift from an industrial to an information-based society. Davidson and Rees-Mogg argue that this transition will liberate individuals, alter the power of government, and lead to the rise of digital currency and cyberspace. They foresee a future where individuals will be freed from government oppression and prejudice, and where states will struggle to collect taxes due to the ease of transferring assets electronically. The authors also discuss the potential for prosperity and renewal in the face of radical changes in human history as we move into the new millennium[1][2][4].
In this Money Talks: Historian Quinn Slobodian’s 2023 book Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy explored the dark reality that many extremists seek a purely capitalist society free of democracy. Now, with the Silicon Valley elite playing such a large role in Trump’s second term, Quinn's work is more relevant than ever. In this episode, Quinn joins Felix Salmon to discuss the relationship between radical tech billionaires and the Trump administration, and its potential consequences for our democracy.
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