In recent years, the unchecked influence of billionaires in political and economic affairs has grown to a concerning extent. The idea that extreme wealth correlates with intelligence or sound decision-making is deeply flawed. Instead, what we witness today is a group of individuals who, despite their financial success, demonstrate a profound lack of historical awareness, social responsibility, and ethical governance. The implications of their influence are dire, especially when their actions erode democratic institutions, and fuel the belief that universal human rights do not exist or apply to their reality the kind of geopolitical instability that historically led to world conflicts.
The Dangerous Influence of Billionaires in Politics
Elon Musk, often lauded as an innovative genius, recently performed a Nazi salute in public—an act not open to interpretation but an undeniable reality (Condon, 2025). His control over powerful platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) has allowed him to spread misinformation, manipulate public discourse, and even undermine democratic processes. Similarly, his decision to completely shut down and eliminate USAID in February 2025—an organization that provides humanitarian assistance and supports democracy worldwide—suggests either a willful disregard for global stability or a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of international aid in diplomacy (Gomez, 2025).
Beyond Musk, other billionaires have wielded their wealth to gain influence over governments. Donald Trump’s recent actions of imposing imaginary sanctions and inviting individuals wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the United States—despite the country’s obligations to uphold international law—demonstrates how power and wealth can override legal and moral accountability (Superville and Goodman, 2025). This disregard for global justice echoes the conditions that led to past world conflicts, where powerful elites protected their own interests at the expense of international order.
The Trusk Phenomenon: Oligarchs, Kindergarten Kerfuffles, and a Dangerous Obsession with the Past
A new global phenomenon has emerged—the Trusk phenomenon, where an oligarchy of millionaires engage in childish, ego-driven disputes that are often fuelled by narrow-minded, obsolete views and a compulsive desire to return to a glorified past. History repeats itself, but with new actors. The lead-up to World War I was marked by feuding royal families, whose personal conflicts dragged entire nations into devastation. Today, it is not monarchs but billionaires who shape international politics, using their wealth to control governments and dictate economic policies. Trump’s tariff war, for instance, is less about economic strategy and more about solidifying alliances in preparation for future geopolitical conflicts. Just as pre-WWI alliances determined sides before the war, today’s economic sanctions and trade disputes reveal fault lines that could define future global tensions.
What is most alarming is the sheer lack of knowledge these ultra-wealthy individuals exhibit. Their failure to grasp the three key sociological paradigms—functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism—demonstrates their inability to understand the complexities of society beyond their own economic bubbles.
Functionalism examines how institutions work together to maintain stability. Yet, billionaires often dismantle these institutions for personal gain, weakening democracy and public trust.
Conflict theory highlights the struggle between different social classes. The ultra-rich exploit this by pushing policies that benefit the elite while widening inequality.
Interactionism focuses on how individuals shape society through communication and symbols. The spread of extremist ideologies through billionaire-owned media platforms has distorted public perception, fostering division and radicalisation.
Dillon (2014)
The Global Lesson: Protecting Democracy from the Ultra-Rich
The consequences of allowing billionaires to dictate democratic policies are becoming painfully evident in the United States. What was once a beacon of democracy is now a nation teetering on the edge of oligarchy. But this is not just an American problem—other democracies must take note.
The functionalism of the European Union is important now more than ever for each individual country within it to survive. As external and internal pressures mount, maintaining the cooperative framework of the EU ensures economic stability, security, and a collective defense against authoritarian influences. Without such unity, individual nations may struggle to uphold democratic values and resist the financial and political dominance of billionaires who seek to shape policies for their own gain.
Nations worldwide must resist the erosion of democratic values by extreme wealth. Stronger regulatory measures, enforcement of international law, and the rejection of corporate interference in governance are essential. Countries that wish to preserve their democratic foundations must learn from the U.S.’s mistakes before they, too, fall under the influence of unaccountable billionaires.
In the end, wealth alone does not equate to intelligence, wisdom, or ethical leadership. If history has taught us anything, it is that unchecked power—whether in the hands of monarchs or billionaires—leads to destruction. The question now is whether societies will act before it is too late.
References
Condon. B. (2025) ‘Business: Musk’s straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists regardless of what he meant’, Associated Press. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/musk-gesture-salute-antisemitism-0070dae53c7a73397b104ae645877535 Accessed on 4 February 2025.
Dillon, M. (2014) Introduction to sociological theory: theorists, concepts, and their applicability to the twenty-first century, Wiley and Sons, Blackwell, UK.
Gomez, A. (2025) ‘Musk says Trump ‘agreed’ USAID should be shut down, staffers told to stay out of agency’s headquarters’, PBS News, Available at: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/musk-says-trump-agreed-usaid-should-be-shut-down-staffers-told-to-stay-out-of-agencys-headquarters Accessed on 7 February 2025.
Midjourney (2025) 'The dangerous influence of billionaires in politics', Made by Credogg. 7 February 2025.
Midjourney (2025a) 'A billionaire blowing up USAID and candy flying out of it', Made by Credogg. 7 February 2025.
Midjourney (2025b) 'Democracy under threat', Made by Credogg. 7 February 2025.
Superville, D. and Goodman, J. (2025) ‘International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel’, The Associated Press, Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/world/trump-signs-order-imposing-sanctions-on-international-criminal-court-over-investigations-of-israel/ar-AA1yytpE Accessed on 7 February 2025.
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