The article emphasizes that oligarchy has existed long before the digital age, rooted in access to resources like land, trade routes, and information. While the tools and speed of influence have evolved — from ships and railways to the internet — the fundamental patterns of concentrated wealth remain consistent. The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series explores how technological advancements have historically reshaped economic hierarchies and concentrated power.
When the internet first emerged, it seemed to democratize access, but over time, similar to previous innovations like railroads and the telegraph, it led to the consolidation of power among a few large digital platforms. In today’s landscape, data has replaced traditional assets as the new means of wealth, and platforms now dictate consumer behavior and opportunities, enhancing financial concentration.
Moreover, while digital enterprises transcend geographical limitations, they still create hierarchical ecosystems, rewarding early and rapid growth. The article underscores that technology does not dissolve hierarchies; it modifies their structure. The dynamics of influence rely on human decisions and trust networks, which have only been digitized.
Looking forward, the article suggests that despite potential technological advancements like AI and blockchain redistributing opportunity, oligarchy will likely persist in new forms. Understanding the continuity of concentrated wealth as a historical pattern is crucial for grasping current and future economic structures. The internet didn’t create oligarchy; it simply provided new methods for its evolution and expansion.
