"Capitalism Unleashed: "The Peril to Democracy" - The Second Coming of Ideology -(Techno-Capitalism)

The Return of State Capitalism and Citizens' Choice The 20th century, marked by ideological conflicts between capitalism and communism, ended with the complete triumph of capitalism. We now live in an unprecedented era, combining the legacy of the Cold War with the ultra-rapid technological innovation of the 21st century. The central theme of this book is the "return of state capitalism." An era of extreme ideological conflict is dawning again. This phenomenon is not limited to authoritarian countries like China. It refers to the ambivalent reality in Western liberal democracies, where the capital power of Big Tech and state power are merging into a single, vast "techno-deep state" under the pretext of national security and technological hegemony. The most dangerous paradox of this new system is that it undermines the very essence of capitalism and the core values of democracy for the sake of short-term competitive advantage. The shadow of a technological surveillance state looms, where the state protects monopolies, stifles innovation, and paralyzes transparency and checks and balances in the name of "security," thereby violating individual freedom and privacy. In an era of technological hegemony, where efficiency and convenience are elevated above all else, we face the fundamental question of how we can truly safeguard the universal values of democracy. This book goes beyond simply analyzing the workings of great power. Ultimately, it argues that the ultimate bulwark of this era lies in the conscious choices of each and every citizen. At the end of this journey, which dissects the complex layers of discourse-international competition, corporate lobbying, and the strategic judgments of political elites-we will ask readers to shift their focus from the sweet allure of capitalism's "efficiency" to the stern values of democracy's "freedom and fairness." The new imperative of our time is not to be consumers who uncritically submit to technological convenience, but to act as digital sovereigns who protect their data sovereignty and enforce ethical choices. I sincerely hope this book will serve as a compass to help us navigate the chaos of this age of technological hegemony and to seek a sustainable balance in democratic capitalism through individual value choices. Now, let us all embark on a journey of learning, confronting the immense currents of technology and power and redefining our roles as active democratic citizens.