One of the more likely and impactful disruptions they consider in "Disruptions on the Horizon 2024 Report" is "Billionaires run the World". The suggested time frame is 3 to 5 years (!). Here's an excerpt:
QUOTE
Extremely wealthy people use their platforms, firms, foundations, and investments to shape
public policy—imposing their individual values and beliefs and bypassing democratic
governance principles.
As the extremely wealthy increasingly influence public opinion and public policy to secure their
own interests, the future of democracy and global governance could be at risk. More billionaires
could leverage their control over strategic technologies and enormous wealth concentration
to enter arenas formerly reserved for states, such as space exploration and diplomacy. As their
power grows, billionaires could gain warfare capabilities and control over natural resources and
strategic assets. Some might co-opt national foreign policy or take unilateral diplomatic or military
action, destabilizing international relations. This may introduce new uncertainties for governance
structures, as private individuals do not have the same decision-making constraints as diplomats,
politicians, and military professionals.
public policy—imposing their individual values and beliefs and bypassing democratic
governance principles.
As the extremely wealthy increasingly influence public opinion and public policy to secure their
own interests, the future of democracy and global governance could be at risk. More billionaires
could leverage their control over strategic technologies and enormous wealth concentration
to enter arenas formerly reserved for states, such as space exploration and diplomacy. As their
power grows, billionaires could gain warfare capabilities and control over natural resources and
strategic assets. Some might co-opt national foreign policy or take unilateral diplomatic or military
action, destabilizing international relations. This may introduce new uncertainties for governance
structures, as private individuals do not have the same decision-making constraints as diplomats,
politicians, and military professionals.
Some here might say, "Well, duh!" In some sense, this is would be taking us back to the 1600s when concerns like the British East India Company did things like take control of India.
