Who Governs: Politicians, or Technology Prophets?

Abstract

The beginning of the twenty-first century strangely resembles the end of the nineteenth century, when large trusts, in particular the American oil companies, effectively governed their own country and, to some extent, the world. The large technological companies, whether in digital, genetic, energy or space transport technology, have quickly understood this public vacuum and defined the future—their future, and now ours too—by designing society as they see it. For the first time, public discourse is more important than reality. This situation will not last: but it remains a unique moment in the relations between players in the economic and political arenas.