THE RISE OF TECHNOCRACY: How Silicon Valley’s vision threatens the American dream

By willowt // 2025-01-27

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A new form of governance led by Silicon Valley technocrats is emerging, where algorithms, AI and digital surveillance replace democracy, individual liberty and the free market.
Technocrats like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel advocate for a system managed by technical experts, undermining democratic principles and the electoral process.
Technocracy envisions a society with "non-stop surveillance," monitoring energy consumption, production and individual behavior through advanced digital technologies.
This new regime would abolish property rights, standardize housing and replace the free market with a system where compliance and energy usage dictate prosperity.
Experts warn that the rise of technocracy, driven by Big Tech, threatens democracy, individual freedoms and the American dream, concentrating power in the hands of a few technocrats.

In the annals of history, power has always shifted hands—from pharaohs to monarchs, from revolutionaries to industrialists. Today, we stand at another pivotal moment, where the reins of societal control are being seized not by elected leaders or traditional elites, but by a new class of technocrats: the titans of Silicon Valley. Their vision? A technocratic utopia where algorithms, artificial intelligence and digital surveillance replace democracy, individual liberty and the free market. But as this vision gains traction, it raises a troubling question: Is this the future we want, or a dystopia disguised as progress?

The technocratic dream: A scientific dictatorship

Technocracy, a term coined in the early 20th century, envisions a society managed by technical experts rather than politicians. Its proponents argue that decisions should be based on data, efficiency and scientific principles, not the messy, often irrational whims of democratic governance. As Jesse Smith writes in The Light, “Technocracy is the science of social engineering, the scientific operation of the entire social mechanism to produce and distribute goods and services to the entire population.” At its core, technocracy seeks to eliminate politics, finance and traditional power structures, replacing them with a system where “technical men and women” make all decisions. This vision, while seemingly utopian, carries a dark undercurrent: the erosion of individual freedoms, property rights and the American dream of upward mobility. Silicon Valley has become the epicenter of this movement. Figures like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen are not just tech entrepreneurs; they are modern-day technocrats shaping the world according to their vision. Their influence extends far beyond the tech industry, infiltrating politics, economics and even national security. As Diane Francis notes, “Silicon Valley is reinventing the world and garnering an unprecedented concentration of economic power at home.”

The end of democracy?

One of the most alarming aspects of technocracy is its disdain for democratic governance. As The Technocrat magazine declared in 1964, “Technocracy holds that all decisions pertaining to the functional operation of the society should be made by technical men and women.” This sentiment is echoed by today’s tech elites, who view the U.S. Constitution as an outdated relic. Peter Thiel, a prominent technocrat and founder of PayPal, has openly criticized democracy, stating, “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.” His influence is evident in the political sphere, where he has backed figures like J.D. Vance, who share his technocratic leanings. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s close ties to the Trump administration have raised concerns about the growing influence of tech billionaires in government. The rise of technocracy also threatens the very foundation of democracy: the electoral process. As The Technocrat noted in 1964, “The public has little voice in choosing the candidates; it usually ends up with their having a choice between two men chosen by the respective political party machines.” This critique resonates today, as tech giants wield unprecedented power over information, elections and public opinion.

A surveillance state in disguise

At the heart of technocracy lies a promise of efficiency and abundance. But this promise comes at a cost: the loss of privacy and autonomy. Technocrats envision a society where every aspect of life is monitored and managed through digital technologies. As outlined in the Technocracy Study Course, the goal is to create a system of “non-stop surveillance” that tracks energy consumption, production and individual behavior. This vision is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction. With advancements in biometrics, artificial intelligence and digital currencies, the tools for implementing a technocratic society are already in place. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), for example, could serve as the modern equivalent of “Energy Certificates,” giving technocrats complete control over financial transactions and individual wealth. The implications are staggering. In a technocratic regime, the free market would be replaced by a system where compliance and energy usage determine prosperity. Property rights would be abolished, and housing would be standardized into energy-efficient units. As Smith warns, “The American dream of upward mobility, already heading towards extinction, will receive the knockout blow in a technocratic regime.”

A golden age for whom?

Technocrats promise a utopia of abundance and efficiency, but history teaches us to be wary of such promises. As Rob Lalka and Marietje Schaake argue in their respective books, The Venture Alchemists and The Tech Coup, the rise of Big Tech has already undermined democracy, concentrated power in the hands of a few, and eroded individual freedoms. The question is: Who stands to benefit from this new world order? The answer, it seems, is clear: the technocrats themselves. As Schaake writes, “In many ways, Silicon Valley has become the antithesis of what its early pioneers set out to be.” The rise of technocracy is not just a threat to democracy; it is a threat to the very essence of what it means to be human. It is a call to action for all who value freedom, individuality and the American dream. Sources include: Expose.com Substack.com TechnologyReview.com