We tend to think of the US as the bastion of private enterprise, but many successful businesses owe their success to Government contracts.  This is why the participation of Elon Musk in the Presidential race kind of raised a red flag.  But maybe we should be more concerned about his erstwhile business partner Peter Thiel who has also financed Republican candidates and who founded a company called Palantire with Alexander Karp.

The US Government has contracted them to organise a super database for use by Intelligence services and Immigration services and many other Government functions.

Noel Castree examines The Technological Republic  – a new book from Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamistra where they urge the silicon valley business leaders to find their moral compass.

Image: Image: Shutterstock -Shutterstock AI

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Noel Castree-Professor of Society & Environment, University of Technology Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 7 August 2025