By michael vivar
Throughout modern human history, power and influence have been consolidated to be wielded by a select few.
This type of governance is known as "oligarchy." Authority can be attained through several means including generational wealth, noble birth and even quasi-democratic election.
The term was first coined in ancient Greece by the philosopher, Aristotle. Greek society was ostensibly a democracy but he observed it being steered by self-serving aristocrats.
The annals of America are pockmarked with oligarchs. Figures like Andrew Carnegie and William Hearst shaped a nation in the 1800s despite never holding elected office.
These individuals could sway politicians through fear or patronage. This is why most opposition originated from citizens directly affected by vainglorious magnates.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same." Oligarchs such as the Saudi royals, Russian tycoons and American tech billionaires boast undue worldwide influence.
Elon Musk donated $277 million to the Trump campaign in the 2024 cycle. He's now supporting neo-Nazis like the AfD in Germany and Tommy Robinson in the UK.
Mark Zuckerberg announced that his Meta platforms won't be doing in-house fact checking on conspiracies such as those that spread misinformation during COVID.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon and The Washington Post owner, has said that editorial directives in the latter will be changed so the paper appeals to a more populist audience.
These three richest men in the world will be prominently placed during Trump's inauguration and it's been alleged they will have unofficial advisory capacities in the new term.
Oligarchies have never provided a net-benefit to societies. In his farewell address, President Biden warned against them. It remains to be seen if history repeats.
"We've become... an oligarchy... I think that's been the worst damage to the basic moral and ethical standards to the American political system." - Jimmy Carter, Former US President