How tech companies became conservative

#296

My Dear Friend of Democracy,

Did you also rub your eyes in amazement at how quickly US tech companies have rallied behind Donald Trump?

Why did they?

Out of opportunism, on the one hand.

Getting on good terms with the powerful brings in sales. The more powerful the powerful, the more crucial political positioning. Because where power accumulates, competition becomes less important. Then, good political relationships determine economic success instead of quality and efficiency.

But not just out of opportunism. There is a second explanation for the shift to the right of tech companies, the shift from progressive to conservative. A shift that is inherent in the economic system.

What do I mean by that?

Anyone new and who wants to enter the market needs unconventional, offbeat ideas. That is the only way the new comes into the world. Otherwise, it wouldn't be new. On the other hand, anyone who wants to preserve the old and secure what exists doesn't need fresh ideas. Instead, they try to maintain what has been achieved.

Established companies love conservative governments.

Despite all the changes still taking place at Meta, Alphabet and Co., they have achieved size and status as companies that need to be preserved. Changemakers (progressives) have become preservers (conservatives).

This is why they are rallying behind Donald Trump.

It is no different in Germany, the country where I live. The established companies here give a lot of money to associations and lobby organizations. They give a lot of money to keep everything as it is. That does not mean that laws should not change. On the contrary. That is what lobbying is for. However, they should change in such a way that the established companies remain established companies.

Fortunately, not all established entrepreneurs are like this. The most prominent counterexample is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Why? Because his convictions do not arise from the circumstances of his company, I guess. The philanthropist has an attitude that is incompatible with opportunism.

^✊ We need more of this type of entrepreneur, don't we? We need more awareness of how politics should be designed so that new things can come into the world. That the better can prevail over the good.

See you in Democracy,

Johannes