What is a Corporatocracy?
A corporatocracy is a situation where a corporation, group of corporations or entities run by corporations, control the direction and governance of a country. Though there are no true corporatocracies in the world, there are a number of people who have criticized governments for being de facto corporatocracies. However, thoroughly proving this would likely be difficult at best and the idea of a corporatocracy is mainly discussed in the circles of conspiracy theorists.
Many Western governments based on a free enterprise system have been accused of being corporatocracies. In fact, many corporations contribute very well to certain political candidates and causes. This, in many people's minds, creates a sense of debt the politician is obliged to pay back in order to continue receiving support for re-election bids.
Adding to this mindset is the fact that many corporations often give to both political parties and major political party candidates. This is seen as a corporation hedging their bets on the outcome of an election and trying to get on the good side of whichever candidate is elected into office. Some say this is one of the hallmarks of a corporatocracy.
Some say the term corporatocracy has no real place in the lexicon, adding that corporations are primarily fictional entities possessing no real power. In fact, it is the people behind those corporations that hold the power. In that sense, a corporatocracy is nothing more than a democracy where those employed are fighting for their best interests.
Those who dismiss the idea of a corporatocracy often say the only way one may be possible to have one is if a government makes it legal to buy a politician's vote. In such a way, the corporation would, in fact, have a direct vote on major policy matters. However, all true democracies have seen the dangers in that and have made vote buying illegal.
However, for those who believe there may, indeed, be corporatocracies, they argue that no one individual, and perhaps no other groups of individuals, would have that much power, money or influence. Further, they argue the decisions on what to push for and who to support are made by a relatively few from inside the corporation. Therefore, while thousands of people may make up a corporation, only a few have the power to speak for the corporation and advocate issues on behalf of the corporation. That provides those corporations with a substantial amount of power, leading to a corporatocracy.
Further, they argue that it does not take an overt effort to buy a politician's vote. Making a substantial contribution to a certain politician's campaign could be seen as sending a signal to that politician that the money is there if they vote in a way the corporation desires. Conversely, the money could be donated to an opponent if the vote does not go the corporation's way. In this way, buying a vote can be accomplished without ever making any demands, those who believe in corporatocracies say.
Written by Ken Black
