The Coming of Neo-Feudalism

1. Neo-Feudalism's Return: A Hierarchical Shift

What we are seeing is a new form of aristocracy developing in the United States and beyond, as wealth in our postindustrial economy tends to be ever more concentrated in fewer hands.

Echoes of the Past. Modern society is experiencing a resurgence of feudal-like structures, characterized by a rigid social hierarchy, concentrated wealth, and limited upward mobility. This isn't a literal return to knights and serfs, but a new system where power and privilege are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, mirroring the static class structures of the Middle Ages.

• Wealth is increasingly concentrated at the top, with the top 1% controlling a disproportionate share of global assets.
• Social mobility is declining, making it harder for people to move up the economic ladder.
• A new "clerisy" of intellectuals and experts provides ideological support for this emerging hierarchy.

A Global Phenomenon. This trend isn't limited to the United States; it's a global phenomenon affecting countries across Europe, Asia, and Australia. The benefits of economic growth are increasingly flowing to the wealthiest, while the middle and working classes struggle to maintain their standard of living. This shift is creating a more stratified society with diminishing opportunities for most.

A Warning to the Middle Class. This book serves as a warning to the global middle class, highlighting the dangers of this neo-feudal trend. It calls for action to halt the current trajectory toward a society defined by class immobility and immense concentrations of wealth and power. The author emphasizes that this is not a partisan issue, but a global challenge that requires a unified response.

2. The Oligarchs: Tech's New Aristocracy

These technocratic elites are the twenty-first-century realization of what Daniel Bell prophetically labeled “a new priesthood of power” based on scientific expertise.

Digital Land Grab. The rise of tech giants has created a new class of oligarchs who control vast digital empires, wielding unprecedented economic and cultural power. These companies, often based in Silicon Valley, have achieved monopolistic or duopolistic control over key markets, eclipsing the old industrial economy.

• A small number of tech firms dominate search, social media, cloud computing, and e-commerce.
• These firms have amassed enormous wealth, creating a new class of tech billionaires.
• They are increasingly resistant to competition and seek to expand their influence into other sectors.

Beyond Entrepreneurship. While these tech leaders were once celebrated as innovative entrepreneurs, they now resemble an exclusive ruling class, resistant to any dispersion of their power. They are not just creating value, but also shaping the culture and controlling the flow of information. This concentration of power raises concerns about the future of democracy and individual freedom.

China's Tech Elite. China is also developing its own tech oligarchy, often intertwined with the ruling Communist Party. This model of state-directed capitalism, combined with advanced surveillance technology, presents a challenge to the liberal capitalist model. The Chinese government is using AI to regulate society and public opinion, raising concerns about the future of freedom and privacy.

3. The Clerisy: Justifying the New Order

The modern clerisy often claim science as the basis of their doctrines and tout academic credentials as the key to status and authority.

Intellectual Legitimizers. Just as the medieval clergy supported the feudal order, a new "clerisy" of intellectuals, academics, and media figures provides intellectual support for the emerging neo-feudal hierarchy. This group, often sharing similar views with the oligarchs, shapes public opinion and promotes a secular orthodoxy.

• The clerisy dominates universities, media, and cultural institutions.
• They often share a common worldview with the oligarchs, particularly on globalism and the environment.
• They seek to replace traditional values with "progressive" ideas about globalism, sustainability, and the authority of experts.

The New Orthodoxy. The modern clerisy often claims science and academic credentials as the basis of their authority, seeking to replace bourgeois values with "progressive" ideas. They promote a worldview that emphasizes globalism, environmental sustainability, and the authority of experts, often dismissing traditional values as outdated or harmful. This new orthodoxy is inculcated through higher education and media, aided by the oligarchy's control of information technology.

Dangers of Technocratic Rule. The rise of a powerful, unelected clerisy poses a threat to liberal democracy. History shows that rule by "experts" or those claiming intellectual superiority can lead to tyranny and oppression. The clerisy's tendency to impose their own values and suppress dissenting opinions is a cause for concern.

4. The Embattled Yeomanry: Squeezed Middle Class

Historically the yeomanry played a critical part in overturning the feudal order—but today their counterparts are being squeezed beneath the oligarchy.

The Third Estate. The "yeomanry," or the modern middle class, is being squeezed by the rising power of the oligarchs and the clerisy. This group, once the backbone of liberal capitalism, is facing diminishing opportunities and declining economic security.

• Upward mobility for the middle class has stalled, with fewer opportunities to climb the economic ladder.
• Homeownership rates are stagnant or declining, making it harder for families to build wealth.
• Globalization and technological change have eroded middle-class jobs, leading to economic insecurity.

A Divided Third Estate. The Third Estate is increasingly divided between a property-owning middle class and a working class that is becoming more like medieval serfs. The working class faces diminishing chances of owning significant assets or improving their lot, except through government transfers. This division weakens the potential for a unified challenge to the dominant orders.

A Source of Resistance. Despite their declining fortunes, the yeomanry still has the potential to challenge the oligarchs and the clerisy. They are no longer quiescent in the face of globalism and technological obsolescence, and their anger is fueling populist movements and protests. This resistance, however, is often fragmented and lacks a clear vision for the future.

5. The New Serfs: A Precarious Working Class

Like the revolutionaries of 1789, many in today’s Third Estate are disgusted by the hauteur and hypocrisy of the upper classes.

The Precariat. The modern working class is increasingly becoming a "precariat," characterized by precarious employment, low wages, and limited control over their working conditions. This group, often working in the gig economy or in low-wage service jobs, faces diminishing opportunities for upward mobility.

• The shift from manufacturing to service jobs has led to a decline in well-paying blue-collar work.
• The gig economy offers flexibility but often lacks job security and benefits.
• Many workers are forced to rely on government assistance to make ends meet.

Cultural Erosion. The economic decline of the working class is often accompanied by cultural erosion, including the breakdown of family structures and community ties. This social decay further weakens their ability to challenge the dominant orders.

• Single parenthood and out-of-wedlock births are on the rise.
• Rates of drug addiction and suicide are increasing in working-class communities.
• Traditional institutions like churches and unions are losing influence.

A Potential for Rebellion. The growing discontent among the working class could lead to a new kind of "peasant rebellion," as they become increasingly frustrated with the policies and values of the oligarchs and the clerisy. This rebellion could take various forms, from political protests to social unrest, and could pose a serious challenge to the existing order.

6. The Gated City: A Divided Urban Landscape

Like the castle towns of Japan or the walled cities of medieval Italy, a few choice locales are enclaves of privilege, while the less appealing places are inhabited by the newly servile classes.

Urban Bifurcation. The modern city is becoming increasingly divided between affluent, gentrified areas and impoverished, neglected peripheries. This trend reflects the growing economic inequality and the concentration of wealth in a few urban centers.

• "Superstar cities" attract the wealthy and highly educated, while pushing out the middle and working classes.
• Gentrification displaces long-time residents, often minorities, and creates a more segregated urban landscape.
• The urban core becomes a playground for the elite, while the periphery is left to struggle.

The "Smart City" Dystopia. The push for "smart cities," driven by tech companies, threatens to further entrench this urban hierarchy. These cities, with their emphasis on surveillance and data collection, could become tools for social control, limiting individual freedom and autonomy.

• Data collection and surveillance become ubiquitous, eroding privacy.
• Algorithms are used to manage and control urban life, reducing human agency.
• The focus on efficiency and control comes at the expense of community and social interaction.

A New Form of Urban Feudalism. The emerging urban landscape resembles a new form of feudalism, with the wealthy living in gated communities and the poor relegated to the periphery. This division undermines the traditional role of cities as engines of upward mobility and opportunity.

7. A Manifesto for the Third Estate: Reclaiming the Future

The future course of history is never inevitable if we retain the will to shape it.

A New Political Paradigm. To challenge neo-feudalism, a new political paradigm is needed that focuses on expanding opportunities for the middle and working classes. This approach must move beyond the current emphasis on redistribution and subsidies, which only serve to entrench dependency and consolidate power.

• Policies should promote upward mobility, not just alleviate poverty.
• The focus should be on creating a more equitable economic system, not just a more "sustainable" one.
• The goal should be to empower individuals and communities, not just to expand the power of the state.

Reclaiming Liberal Values. The Third Estate must reclaim the values that once drove the rise of liberal capitalism, including a commitment to individual freedom, property rights, and upward mobility. This requires a rejection of the "progressive" orthodoxy that seeks to replace these values with a new form of social control.

• The importance of family, community, and nation must be reaffirmed.
• The value of literacy, learning, and critical thinking must be emphasized.
• The need for a robust public sphere, where diverse viewpoints can be expressed and debated, must be recognized.

A Call to Action. The return to feudalism is not inevitable. By understanding the forces at play and mobilizing to challenge them, the Third Estate can reclaim its future. This requires a new kind of politics that is rooted in the aspirations of ordinary people and committed to the principles of liberal democracy. The future is not predetermined; it is up to us to shape it.

Last updated: January 31, 2025