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Money Talks: Capitalism Extremists In the Trump 2.0 Era
Feb 4, 2025
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.
45:29
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast discusses how Peter Thiel's vision of capitalism champions autonomy from democratic structures, indicating a growing tension between economic freedom and governance.
- It examines the contrasting political strategies of Trump's administration and Silicon Valley elites, highlighting a shift towards decentralized governance influenced by capital interests.
Deep dives
Peter Thiel and the Idea of Capitalist Autonomy
Peter Thiel's vision, as discussed in the conversation, suggests that democracy and economic freedom can be incompatible. He propagated the idea of creating new polities through initiatives like the Seasteading Institute, aimed at establishing autonomous communities on decommissioned oil rigs and other platforms. This concept of 'exit' from traditional political structures reflects a broader desire among Silicon Valley elites to reshape governance in alignment with their economic interests. The shift from founding new states to attempting to take control of existing ones, particularly aligned with Trump administration goals, indicates a strategic pivot for those seeking to impose their vision on a larger scale.
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