On Thursday, 29 January we discussed whether democracies can survive the power of the “Broligarchy” a term coined by British journalist Carole Cadwalladr to describe the small group of ultra-wealthy tech CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs who are increasingly influencing government. She had exposed the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal involved the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from up to 87 million Facebook users by British firm, Cambridge Analytica in the 2010s. The data, gathered via a personality app, was used to build psychological profiles and influence voter behavior in the 2016 US presidential campaign. As a result of her reporting, she suffered a campaign of harrassment, online abuse and law suits which almost completely destroyed her. To initiate our discussion, we watched this Ted talk which she gave in April 2025.
Our discussion was very wide ranging, touching on privacy in the digital age, disaffection with governments, bribery, populism, and political polarisation. We mentioned the abusive hounding of technochrats serving in international bodies, and how employers and companies are being leaned on to follow “approved” policies. Here are some articles relevant to the discussion:
Trump critics say inauguration optics show oligarchy in action
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/21/trump-critics-say-inauguration-optics-show-oligarchy-in-action
The Impact of Big Money and Secret Spending on Trump’s Second Inauguration
https://campaignlegal.org/update/impact-big-money-and-secret-spending-trumps-second-inauguration
Amazon’s $35 Million ‘Melania’ Promotion Has Critics Questioning Its Motives – The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/business/media/amazon-melania-trump-film-critics.html
TikTok is suppressing ‘content critical of President Trump’ in the US, California governor claims – as investigation looks into whether it ‘violates’ state law https://www.techradar.com/computing/tiktok/tiktok-is-suppressing-content-critical-of-president-trump-in-the-us-california-governor-claims-as-investigation-looks-into-whether-it-violates-state-law
Here is a view on how it impacts Europe:
In the plutocratic age of ‘broligarchy’, democracy is in deep trouble – but there’s still hope In the plutocratic age of ‘broligarchy’, democracy is in deep trouble – but there’s still hope – CEPS
Europe’s Growing Fear: How Trump Might Use U.S. Tech Dominance Against It