The Convergence of Capitalism and Authoritarianism and the Global Crisis of Democracy
The Looming Threat: Why Capitalism is Pivoting Toward Authoritarianism
The world is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises—climate change, automation, and economic inequality—that are driving social unrest and threatening the stability of markets. Some of the best minds in tech predict that automation alone could eliminate 40–60% of today’s jobs, creating economic instability that will shake the foundations of our society.
Instead of responding with policies that redistribute wealth and power to create stability, capitalists are increasingly looking to authoritarianism as a way to protect their wealth and maintain their grip on public policy. If left unchecked, we are on the verge of a corporate-political realignment that will erode democratic norms and push both major parties toward more openly authoritarian governance.
Understanding Neoliberalism: The Engine of Corporate Capture
Before we talk about where we’re headed, we need to understand how we got here.
What is Neoliberalism?
Neoliberalism is the idea that markets should govern society, governments should shrink, and profit should take priority over people. It’s built on three pillars:
Deregulation: Stripping public oversight from corporations so they can do whatever maximizes profit.
Privatization: Selling off public goods—education, healthcare, transportation—to corporate bidders.
Austerity: Gutting social programs that provide stability so that competition for jobs drives down wages.
In theory, neoliberalism claims that this creates freedom and opportunity. In reality, it concentrates power in the hands of the wealthy, dismantles public safety nets, and turns democracy into an auction house for billionaires.
A Simple Metaphor: Neoliberalism is Monopoly—But Rigged
Imagine playing Monopoly, but with a twist:
The richest player gets to rewrite the rules as they go.
Every time they pass "Go," they collect more than $200, while others get less.
Railroads, utilities, and public services? Privatized. You now pay fees just to participate.
If you fall behind, you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps"—except, your bootstraps have been repossessed.
When the economy crashes, the government bails out the rich and lets the poor drown.
That’s neoliberalism in action—a system where inequality isn’t a failure of the market; it’s the goal.
How Neoliberalism Set the Stage for an Authoritarian Turn
In the 1980s, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) was created to adapt the Democratic Party to the rising dominance of neoliberalism. The DLC convinced Democrats that to stay electorally competitive, they needed to embrace Reaganomics—deregulation, corporate-friendly policies, and free trade agreements that crushed labor rights. This shift gutted the party’s working-class base and cemented its new role as a corporate party.
Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a new pivot in motion—this time, toward authoritarianism. As corporate elites recognize that sustaining the current levels of wealth extraction will very likely lead to rebellion, they are shifting their loyalties from democracy to authoritarian strongmen who promise to keep the system intact by force.
The Next Evolution: How Democrats Could Adapt to Trumpism
If history repeats itself, the Democratic Party—already captured by corporate interests that are generally moving in an anti-democratic direction—may once again shift rightward to maintain its funding and political viability. This could mean:
Normalizing authoritarianism: Instead of directly opposing authoritarian power, Democrats might try to co-opt it and “manage” it within the system.
Hardening social control: Increased surveillance, policing, and censorship will be used to suppress dissent.
Deeper corporate entrenchment: The party will continue prioritizing corporate donors over grassroots organizing, cutting off the left at the knees.
This means the entire political spectrum could be forced to move towards authoritarianism, making what was once extreme seem “moderate.” We are already seeing this play out in real time.
Evidence of Corporate Alignment with Authoritarianism
Major corporations already enable and benefit from authoritarian regimes when it suits their bottom line:
Tech companies collaborate with governments to build surveillance systems that suppress dissent.
Energy corporations support autocratic regimes that ensure access to fossil fuel resources.
Financial institutions prop up authoritarian governments that provide them favorable investment conditions.
And in the U.S., the rise in political violence is accelerating this alignment:
The threat of political violence—such as attacks on election officials and lawmakers—is pushing the entire system toward authoritarian “stability.”
Trump’s pardon of over 1,500 January 6th insurgents before announcing his cabinet picks signals a realignment where political violence becomes an accepted part of governance.
The lesson of history is that if capitalists see democracy as too unpredictable and rebellion as too costly, they will choose authoritarianism over democracy every time.
Why This Matters for Social Movements
When both parties bow to authoritarianism, it’s not just about economic policy—it’s about freedom itself. This affects:
Bodily autonomy: If there is no opposition to creeping authoritarianism, attacks on reproductive rights and personal freedoms will become permanent.
Dissent and protest: Activists and journalists will be targeted and criminalized, with bipartisan support.
Political choice: If both parties normalize authoritarian policies, there will be no viable opposition within electoral politics.
This is how authoritarianism becomes entrenched—not through a sudden coup, but through a series of small, “rational” adjustments that slowly make repression normal.
How We Fight Back
To counteract this shift, we must:
Defend Democratic Institutions: Pressure lawmakers to uphold democratic norms and resist consolidation of power.
Advance Economic Justice: Push for progressive taxation, labor protections, and social safety nets to reduce economic desperation—the root cause of authoritarian appeal.
Hold Corporations Accountable: Expose and resist corporate complicity in authoritarian governance.
Mobilize Civil Society: Invest in grassroots organizing that builds counterpower outside of electoral politics.
Defend Civil Liberties: Challenge restrictions on speech, protest, and bodily autonomy through legal and direct action.
Raise Awareness: Educate the public on the risks of authoritarian normalization and the history of corporate capture.
If we don’t fight now, we will wake up in a world where “freedom,” as under neoliberalism, takes on a new meaning; one that undermines democracy and accountability, making resisting authoritarianism even more difficult.