I don’t think it’s necessarily even vast quantities of power and wealth. More like vast quantities of either make already existing character flaws more readily apparent. That and the source of Society’s modern ‘Elite’.
The aristocracy and Nobility of centuries past.
Have largely been supplanted as the ‘Elite’ by Corporate Leaders and a Wealthy Business class. The Problem arises that the Corporate Leaders and Businessmen who rise to command the vast fortunes of 10s of Billions of not trillions tend towards either being, or at the very least displaying Sociopathic, Psychopathic, and Narcissistic Tendencies and Behavior. Granted it’s not impossible for a Good Individual to rise to such lofty heights. Trump being a prime example. Just substantially more unlikely.
As Sociopaths, Narcissists, and Psychopaths are generally more likely to display the character traits that are likely to lead to wild financial success. Or at the very least being easily manipulated by the financially wealthy. They won’t quibble over ethical and moral concerns as they are ultimately out for themselves. They won’t care about screwing over coworkers, friends, or even family.
We replaced the previous Aristocracy Elite. Who at the very least had to maintain pretenses of following notions of personal honor, responsibility etc. And by virtue of being Nobility largely tied to a handful of nations at best. Generally had personal fortunes subject to various limitations.
With people who command networks of Multinational Corporations. And quite literally brag about buying and selling Governments. And Can command the resources of entire continents. And have the wealth to subvert or kill almost anyone.
And it’s not like we could easily revert to any previous system. As the years have seen the Banking and Corporate Class. Subvert or eliminate the remnants of the Aristocracy and landed nobility who weren’t on board.
And many of the current public alternative systems or isms while we haven’t seen them truly put into practice. Are unlikely to gain any particularly warm reception with the population at large. Either due to unsavory associations gained over the years. Or they are so vague and ill defined most of the proponents can’t clearly explain what they are advocating outside of generalities. ‘No Taxes’, ‘Decentralization’ etc.
Whatever the new system or ism the world eventually adopts or creates looks like. It’s fairly likely it’s going to have it’s own crop of ‘Elites’ rise to prominence. Hopefully from a new source then previous attempts
The potential for the formation of large Corporations is an outgrowth of Capitalism. You can’t have one without at least the possibility of the other. Rothschild, Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Ford, Walton etc. They started as small businesses. Small stores, Foundries, Small Banks etc. They expanded and grew their influence. Deals opening new locations. Buying out/Eliminating competition. Marketing themselves. Etc. All within the remits of Capitalism and Economic Practice. At what point then does it transition away from Capitalism?
Corporations aren’t even inherently the issue. The problem ultimately comes down to how the current business world is constructed. It’s set up for the unethical, psychotic and immoral lunatics with delusions of grandeur to be the ones most likely to be wildly successful.
I don’t think it’s necessarily even vast quantities of power and wealth. More like vast quantities of either make already existing character flaws more readily apparent. That and the source of Society’s modern ‘Elite’.
The aristocracy and Nobility of centuries past.
Have largely been supplanted as the ‘Elite’ by Corporate Leaders and a Wealthy Business class. The Problem arises that the Corporate Leaders and Businessmen who rise to command the vast fortunes of 10s of Billions of not trillions tend towards either being, or at the very least displaying Sociopathic, Psychopathic, and Narcissistic Tendencies and Behavior. Granted it’s not impossible for a Good Individual to rise to such lofty heights. Trump being a prime example. Just substantially more unlikely.
As Sociopaths, Narcissists, and Psychopaths are generally more likely to display the character traits that are likely to lead to wild financial success. Or at the very least being easily manipulated by the financially wealthy. They won’t quibble over ethical and moral concerns as they are ultimately out for themselves. They won’t care about screwing over coworkers, friends, or even family.
We replaced the previous Aristocracy Elite. Who at the very least had to maintain pretenses of following notions of personal honor, responsibility etc. And by virtue of being Nobility largely tied to a handful of nations at best. Generally had personal fortunes subject to various limitations.
With people who command networks of Multinational Corporations. And quite literally brag about buying and selling Governments. And Can command the resources of entire continents. And have the wealth to subvert or kill almost anyone.
And it’s not like we could easily revert to any previous system. As the years have seen the Banking and Corporate Class. Subvert or eliminate the remnants of the Aristocracy and landed nobility who weren’t on board.
And many of the current public alternative systems or isms while we haven’t seen them truly put into practice. Are unlikely to gain any particularly warm reception with the population at large. Either due to unsavory associations gained over the years. Or they are so vague and ill defined most of the proponents can’t clearly explain what they are advocating outside of generalities. ‘No Taxes’, ‘Decentralization’ etc.
Whatever the new system or ism the world eventually adopts or creates looks like. It’s fairly likely it’s going to have it’s own crop of ‘Elites’ rise to prominence. Hopefully from a new source then previous attempts
Corporations aren't Capitalism, they are communism, and we have been paying the price for over a century.
The potential for the formation of large Corporations is an outgrowth of Capitalism. You can’t have one without at least the possibility of the other. Rothschild, Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Ford, Walton etc. They started as small businesses. Small stores, Foundries, Small Banks etc. They expanded and grew their influence. Deals opening new locations. Buying out/Eliminating competition. Marketing themselves. Etc. All within the remits of Capitalism and Economic Practice. At what point then does it transition away from Capitalism?
Corporations aren’t even inherently the issue. The problem ultimately comes down to how the current business world is constructed. It’s set up for the unethical, psychotic and immoral lunatics with delusions of grandeur to be the ones most likely to be wildly successful.