qWhat kills democracies? The slow poison of distrust and the repeated stabs at counterpowers. The weakening of the standards that hold societies together: respect for others and their freedom of thought, the desire to live together, the legitimacy of those who govern. Once again, economic crises, which divert the middle classes, disrupt public services and increase resentment. Without forgetting the sowers of hate, always on the lookout, stirring up bad passions – starting with xenophobia. And then money, when it is excessively monopolized by a small number to the detriment of the collective.
In his last essay, The chaos that comes (Le Cherche Midi, 448 pages, 23 euros), the anthropologist Peter Turchin, with historical examples to support him, analyzes what triggers the political disintegration of States: each time, the impoverishment of the working classes combined with the “overproductive elites ” who accumulate wealth. and power eventually leads to collapse, revolution or civil war, he explains.
A phenomenon that is observed recurrently in the United States, but also, to a large extent, in Europe. In a November 2 interview with the weekly TeleramaTurchin regrets that the American Democratic Party cannot once again become the party of the working class – which was confirmed by the result of the presidential elections on November 5 – because, to do so, “His supporters and leaders would have to make a significant personal financial sacrifice, raising their own taxes and giving more power to workers”. For which, beyond the speeches, they are barely prepared.
“Money makes you neurotic. When they have ideas to change the world, the rich can pay to implement them and buy influence, something those without money cannot do. Therefore, they think that their ideas are superior to those of others. » These words are not those of a left-wing economist, but… those of an ultra-rich woman, speaking with knowledge of the facts. This is the Austro-German Marlene Engelhorn, who became a billionaire at the age of 30, in 2022. She is one of the heirs of the founder of the German chemical group BASF, Friedrich Engelhorn.
“Excess wealth is antisocial”
Marlene Engelhorn is one of a handful of millionaires who, in Europe or the United States, are campaigning with their states for broader taxes. Because they are aware that the ultra-rich are always richer because they pay proportionally less taxes than the middle classes. Because they know that this inequality is one of the poisons that bring down democracies.
You have 36.12% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
