NewsThe GuardianMay 18, 2026United States
Stanford Economist Argues Tech Monopolies Threaten Democracy
Stanford economist Mordecai Kurz argues in his new book that modern tech billionaires are repeating historical patterns of power hoarding that erode democratic institutions. The article highlights parallels between Gilded Age industrialists and current tech leaders, specifically citing Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's views on AI's societal impact.
Read the full story at The GuardianWhy It Matters
The book, 'Private Power and Democracy’s Decline,' provides a framework for understanding how concentrated corporate control over technology influences political and economic inequality in the United States.
Key Facts
Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.
Who's Mentioned
locationStanford“Academic institution associated with Mordecai Kurz.”organizationAnthropic“Technology company led by Dario Amodei.”personAndrew Carnegie“Industrialist from the 19th century.”personMordecai Kurz“Stanford economist and author of Private Power and Democracy’s Decline.”date19 May“Publication date of the book Private Power and Democracy’s Decline.”personDario Amodei“CEO of Anthropic.”otherPrivate Power and Democracy’s DeclinepersonJohn D Rockefeller“Industrialist from the 19th century.”organizationStanford