Mapping How Big Tech Seizes State Power: The Authoritarian Stack
In July 2025, the U.S. Army entered into a monumental defense contract valued at $10 billion with Palantir Technologies. This deal granted Palantir control over essential systems concerning battlefield intelligence, logistics, homeland security, and immigration control. Although labeled an efficiency initiative, the arrangement essentially handed critical security functions to a private entity led by billionaire Peter Thiel, known for his controversial views on democracy.
The Rise of the Authoritarian Stack
Francesca Bria, a prominent researcher at University College London, serves as a leading authority on the concept of the “Authoritarian Stack.” Alongside her roles in various European innovation initiatives, she highlights an emerging coalition among tech billionaires and ideologues in the U.S. under Donald Trump’s administration. This group has forged a new framework for governance, intertwining technology and authoritarianism.
Shift from Public to Private Control
Unlike previous military-industrial frameworks, the current structure revolves around privatized control, extending from cloud services to military drones. Key figures such as Thiel, Elon Musk, and Marc Andreessen are at the forefront, redefining sovereignty as a commodity shaped by private interests. This transnational apparatus operates not from the outside but within government systems, raising questions about accountability and autonomy.
- Personnel Integration: Silicon Valley leaders are being directly integrated into military roles through initiatives like Detachment 201.
- Procurement Dynamics: Private firms like Palantir set operational standards, increasingly dictating what government agencies can access.
- Surveillance Capabilities: In April 2025, Palantir received a $30 million contract from ICE for a surveillance platform named ImmigrationOS.
The Impact on European Sovereignty
The implications of the Authoritarian Stack extend beyond U.S. borders, significantly influencing Europe’s security and governance structures. This trend is characterized by contracts that tether European nations to American tech companies.
- UK: Palantir has secured a £330 million contract with the National Health Service, involving extensive patient data management.
- Germany: The firm has supported law enforcement initiatives while partnering with Anduril for drone technology.
- Italy: Contracts are underway to incorporate Elon Musk’s Starlink into military communications.
These trends illustrate how the technology deployed is not merely a tool but a reflection of a broader ideological shift. European nations face the pressing need to establish their own tech sovereignty if they wish to maintain autonomy from American influence.
Mapping an Authoritarian Future
The Authoritarian Stack project aims to uncover the dynamics of this new governance model. It consists of three components:
- Investigative Read: A detailed analysis of how tech moguls and their ideologies have gained unprecedented influence.
- Interactive Network Map: This tool visualizes power dynamics, showing relationships among over 200 stakeholders, including capital flows and ideological alliances.
- Policy Syllabus: A comprehensive resource for journalists and policymakers to understand and challenge the Authoritarian Stack.
Conclusion: The Stakes for Democracy
As the Authoritarian Stack consolidates power, the threat to democratic governance becomes clear. Infrastructure plays a critical role in shaping future governance. The challenge lies in recognizing this phenomenon not merely as a technical evolution but as a fundamental reconfiguration of power. A proactive response from democratic institutions is every bit as vital as technological advancements.
For democracy to thrive, it must reclaim its technological roots. This includes creating public infrastructures designed to prioritize citizens over concentrated private interests. The stakes are high, and immediate action is required to reclaim sovereignty in the age of digital dominance.
