In an era where billionaires like Elon Musk are emerging as significant geopolitical players, the growing dependence of governments on such individuals raises escalating concerns. Should strategic and vital decisions be in the hands of elected leaders or giants of the private sector?

When Billionaires Influence Geopolitics

Almost a century ago, F. Scott Fitzgerald already highlighted the fundamental difference between the very wealthy and the average person. Today, this distinction is evident in the direct influence figures like Elon Musk have on the lives of billions and on critical issues such as security.

According to the recently published biography by Walter Isaacson, the breadth of Musk’s ambitions is astonishing: from revolutionizing the automotive sector with Tesla to transforming our communication with X (formerly known as Twitter), not to mention the colonization of Mars through SpaceX.

Musk: A Geopolitical Player in Action

Musk’s geopolitical influence was clearly demonstrated when he refused to allow his satellite internet system, Starlink, provided to Ukraine, to be used for a naval drone strike against Russian ships in Crimea. Musk feared this might elicit a nuclear response from Moscow. The main issue here is not to debate the merits of his decision, but to question why a private individual finds themselves in a position to make such a significant decision.

Growing Government Dependence on Private Titans

While capitalism rewards ingenuity, risk, and innovation, the increasing dependence of governments and societies on individuals like Musk, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg is concerning. Public agencies like NASA are growing more reliant on private companies like SpaceX or Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin.

What often begins as civilian projects can quickly take on a military or security dimension in times of crisis. Following the incident in Ukraine, Musk even proposed peace solutions on Twitter, mirroring his political views, raising concerns about billionaires’ influence on international politics.

The Need for a Balance Between Public and Private

This is not just an American phenomenon. Other countries see the rise of billionaires with immense influence. Still, governments must continue to invest in crucial sectors such as defense, security, and space, avoiding excessive dependence on the private sector.

While the R&D investment of American companies has more than tripled between 1990 and 2020, federal R&D spending has remained almost flat. It’s vital to implement mechanisms or laws ensuring governmental oversight of services or infrastructures with military applications.

While the innovation and ingenuity of billionaires like Elon Musk have brought countless benefits to society, it’s essential to reassess and rebalance the role of private players in strategic domains. Vital decisions, especially in times of war, should be made by elected leaders, not by private actors, no matter how influential they may be.

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