by Latifa Ferial Naili
When reflecting on the rise of monopolies and the manipulation of public opinion for business advantage, the story of John D. Rockefeller and his involvement in the Prohibition movement of the 1920s stands out. In a recent conversation. Rockefeller, often regarded as the epitome of ruthless capitalism, used his considerable resources to shape the future of the automobile industry. His strategy wasn’t rooted in any moral concern about alcohol; it was simply about control and profit. Similarly, Elon Musk’s business tactics seem to mirror the playbook of Rockefeller, leveraging power and influence to gain an upper hand over his competitors.
Rockefeller’s involvement in the Prohibition movement was not about ethics or public health. Instead, he recognized that the first automobiles were designed to run on ethanol, and by ensuring that alcohol was illegal to transport, he set the stage for a fuel monopoly. Once ethanol became outlawed, Ford had to pivot to gasoline for his Model T cars, which ultimately benefited Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, giving him control over the fuel supply for the automobile industry. His actions were driven purely by financial interests, not by any genuine desire to improve society. The moral arguments he used were nothing more than propaganda designed to serve his monopolistic ambitions.
Fast forward to today, and the strategies of Elon Musk seem eerily similar. Musk, known for his innovative ventures in electric cars, space exploration, and even social media, has been accused of using his power and influence to quash competition, much like Rockefeller did in his time. It’s widely suggested that Musk’s companies, including Tesla, enjoy advantages that others don’t, in part due to political connections. For instance, his ties with Donald Trump have raised concerns that he is using political influence to secure favorable conditions for his businesses. While it’s unclear whether Musk has manipulated the system to the same extent as Rockefeller, the parallels in their approaches are undeniable.
What’s most striking is how these tech giants, like Rockefeller and Musk, have mastered the art of using moral or political arguments to their advantage, all while furthering their own monopolies. Whether it’s leveraging Prohibition to control the fuel industry or using political influence to suppress competitors, both men seem to play the game where money talks louder than ethics. The question remains: who will challenge this modern-day corporate monopoly? Just as Teddy Roosevelt pursued Rockefeller with arrest warrants and tirelessly fought against the excesses of corporate power, today’s society may need another figure with the courage to take on Musk and others in the name of fairness and market competition.
