Capitalism in the Age of Digital Technology
Twenty fifteen was “a record year for deals,” the merger market exceeded $4 trillion, trumpets the business pages of The New York Times. Monopoly isn’t just a board game it is the animating dynamic of the economic system. Really existing Capitalism, which relies heavily on taxpayer support, embodies an almost genetic drive to consolidate, to dominate and ultimately to eliminate competition. This leaves people with fewer choices and higher prices, exactly the outcome desired by the monopolists. Democracy, particularly in the U.S., has largely morphed into an oligarchy run by and for plutocrats. As the ranks of the have-nots grow and inequality widens, and as the eco-crisis continues apace, one can expect a future of social unrest.
Speaker
Robert McChesney
Robert McChesney teaches at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is the author of many books including Digital Disconnect. He is co-author with John Nichols of Dollarocracy. He is the co-founder of Free Press, a national media reform organization. The Utne Reader listed him among its “50 visionaries who are changing the world.”
Toby Hoffman –
Shared but everybody too busy with distractions.
Jim Terr –
RMcC has a way of cutting to the bone. A disturbing talk, but so clear and so insightful. Will be sharing this one with friends.
Thomas Burnham French –
Robert McChesney gives a challenging perspective on the future of the world through discussing domination of our economy by mega corporations, leading to monopolies, through the alliance of government, an alliance that has overturned our democracy. With the coming of fully automated, robotic industrial production, unemployment will soar. The largest internet corporations are aiding in creating a surveillance state which is antithetical to democracy and has been a mark of fascism historically. The belief in democracy by the majority of the world’s population will be a force that challenges the plutocracy and ultimately wins.