#systemchange

[ptitolier]

When the Market Sanctions Ideology: Tesla's Collapse and the Political Drift of Billionaires

Source: El Manifesto, February 6, 2025 edition, article by Annaflavia Merluzzi.

According to an investigation published in El Manifesto, Tesla sales are plummeting across Europe, with dramatic declines in Germany (-59%), France (-63%), and Norway (-38%). While these figures reflect a broader slowdown in the electric vehicle market, they also reveal a political dynamic: the growing rejection of Elon Musk and his ideological alignment with the far right.

This collapse is not merely an economic sanction—it raises a larger question: can capitalism exist independently of democracy, or will democracy ultimately reassert control?

Reactionary Capital: When the Market Sanctions Ideology

Tesla’s downfall in Germany and across Europe is more than just an economic issue. It highlights a broader phenomenon: the rejection of a capitalism that no longer limits itself to production but seeks to impose a political vision on the world.

Traditionally, the far right has been hostile to both environmentalism and technological progress. At first glance, this makes it a paradoxical ally for a billionaire leading an electric vehicle company. However, Elon Musk’s financial backing of Alice Weidel and the German far-right party AfD reveals another dimension of this alliance: a rejection of ecological transition when framed within a democratic and social context.

A Capitalism That No Longer Hides

Musk embodies a shift in contemporary capitalism: wealth is no longer just about accumulation—it is now a tool for financing reactionary political movements that oppose environmental regulations, social rights, and inclusive policies.

This trend reflects a broader phenomenon in which certain billionaires, rather than remaining neutral market players, become direct political actors. Their strategy aligns with an old fantasy of elite secession: controlling a captive market, securing an electorate aligned with their vision, and developing technologies that ensure their total autonomy from the rest of society.

The Market as a Battleground

But this project faces a fundamental paradox: if billionaires attempt to shape politics, consumers, in turn, can politicize their consumption. The European boycott of Tesla illustrates how the market itself can become an ideological battlefield. Consumers, far from being passive economic participants, are expressing a rejection of a corporate model where ideology takes precedence over innovation.

The philosopher Karl Polanyi identified this tension in the 20th century: the free market only functions as long as society accepts it. When a company oversteps its role and becomes a tool of ideological domination, it risks being rejected by society. The market, far from being an autonomous entity, is always embedded within a moral and political framework.

A New Form of Resistance?

The Tesla case reminds us that in a world where billionaires seek to shape public policy while bypassing democratic processes, citizens can respond economically. When voting appears ineffective against the influence of wealth in politics, boycotting becomes a powerful tool of resistance.

We may be witnessing the emergence of an inverted ethical capitalism: one not dictated by corporate promises of sustainability, but by consumers sanctioning ideological deviations among the ultra-wealthy. If this trend continues, it could redefine the relationship between capitalism and democracy—reminding us that economics cannot be detached from the values it claims to serve.

Also worth reading: Check out my series "Democracy VS Capitalism" on Medium, where I explore the tensions between economic power and democratic institutions:

Coming in mid-February: A three-part series on climate denial fake news, scientific manipulation, collective paralysis, and the secession of the wealthy. Why are some billionaires sabotaging climate action while preparing their escape? Stay tuned.

P'tit Tôlier

Essayist & Popularizer. I analyze the world through accessible philosophical essays. Complex ideas, explained simply—to help us think about our times.

[bureauofbrains]

Insurers fleeing from climate risks? Time to rethink.

[ryandjaxon]

Strike is on the horizon. Join workers nationwide, standing together for:

Economic justice

Racial equality

Climate action

Labor rights

One day, we'll stop. And demand a better world for all. #GeneralStrike #Solidarity #SystemChange

[girltakecare]

Man stahl mir Geld, von dessen Existenz ich nichts wusste und nun verschenke ich es, obwohl ich nicht weiß, wo es ist

#Marktinformation an Banken und etwaige andere Unternehmen#der Systemchange Ich habe heute etwas Wichtiges entschieden, was ich gerne hier teilen möchte, denn es reicht mir mit dem Identitätsdiebstahl. Ich möchte wieder Herren meiner Daten werden. Ich stifte sämtliche Guthaben, die sich heute, am 27.05.2024 noch auf Konten der rds energies GmbH oder Tochterfirnen befinden oder unter meinen Daten…

[green2stayecomarketing]

#Sustainability ♻️ #IndependentMedia 🗞️🖥️🎙️ #ChildrenOfGaza 👦👶👧🇵🇸 #SWD 🕸️ #G2S 🌿 #BountyNews ⛵ *Update "History Is Being Made ,The beginning of #SystemChange⌛🏁🌏 #Sydney 🦘#Palestine 🇵🇸 #THENEWECONOMY 💲

[hansschwab]

🌍 GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE #klimastreik zur #klimawahl 🌐🌐🌐#24.09.2021 - 14:30 - #opernplatz #climatestrike #nextlevel #keingradweiter #fridaysforfuturehannover #fridaysforfuture #fff2021 #alldaysforfuture #nextfuture #klimacamphannover #forthenextgeneration #systemchange #savetheearth #hannover #madewithpaper #paper53 #wetransfer (hier: Hanover, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTzGZbxs2cx/?utm_medium=tumblr

[street--art--pics]

© by Street.Art.Pics, Germany, Kiel, 2021.

Sticker: 🐸🐣🐘🐨🦊 SYSTEM CHANGE

NOT CLIMATE CHANGE!

#urbanart #streetart #streetartpics #Sticker #Aufkleber #Label #streetartphotography #ilovestreetart #streetarteverwhere #streetartphoto #artinthestreets #urbanwalls #streetartpic #Laternenaufkleber #urbanstyle #urbanexploration #lanternsticker #ilovestickers #streetartstickers #stickerkiel #aufkleberKiel #kielsticker #systemchange #animalrights #notclimatechange #noborders

[emerjett]

within the system

I am a climate justice activist advocating for system change, a transitional dismantling of capitalistic, consumerist, anthropocentric, wealth-favoring, unjust, unsustainable (in general) society. But I say this as someone completely within the system. Don't get me wrong, I do have bipolar disorder ii manifesting as cyclical depression, I am Chinese American and don't take traditional pronouns (he/any btw, even though I'm basically cisgender and straight), I am introverted and a little awkward sometimes, but even with all of that I am situated exactly in the center of the system.

I am a student at Harvard

Harvard says it's an institution with a lot of diversity. Which is true. First generation college students, people from all races and backgrounds, learning together to be global leaders. Sounds fantastic. But then I hear things:

Almost half of [the Class of 2025] — 45.1 percent — reported that their parents make a combined annual income of more than $125,000 — nearly twice the median household income in the U.S. — Harvard Crimson

Additionally, while Harvard has helped educate hundreds of thousands of global leaders, many of which who have done the world a whole lot of good, it also has a whole lot of bad history. Women weren't fully integrated into Harvard until late in the 20th century. People like Henry Kissinger were educated here. Harvard was slow at divesting from South African apartheid, slow at divesting from fossil fuels, slow at all these things despite being the wealthiest and most powerful academic institution in the world.

Yet as a climate and social justice activist, it feels so strange, yet important being a part of this community. I attended a talk by Professor Cornell William Brooks, former CEO of the NAACP. He told us we could

advocate from the position of people outside the system within the system

And that is exactly what I want to continue to reflect on. I'll end this piece here, but I have so many more thoughts on this, and things to learn from communities outside of the system. For one, I live in the United States, which has its fingerprints EVERYWHERE throughout the world whether through corporations or the military. I'm also relatively well connected within the youth climate movement, all things that just make me want to make passing on resources, facilitating change from within, and help create this just future for black people, Latinx, poor folk, animals, nature, indigenous people, Asians (broadly HAHA that word is so confusing), neurodivergent folk, the disabled, (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER) and everyone else. From within, we can bring people from the outside into spheres of influence, we can share contacts (like people who are Harvard alumni for me) and resources, and so much more. Learning and acting on how we can advocate within the system is a key part to changing the system for all.

[michaellart]

Wer mit der Essenz der Kunst spielt, weiß, dass sie einer der besten Lehrmeister des Lebens ist. Michaell Magrutsche: Die Gunst der Kunst - Mit neuem Kunstbewusstsein die Begeisterung für Kunst wecken. https://bit.ly/gunstderkunst Amazon.de #Kunstbewustsein #Kunstessenz #Michaellart #Kunstdiskurs #Kunst #German #Deutsch #Systemchange #querdenken #greatmindshift #innovationinaction https://www.instagram.com/p/COk_kvVlNgI/?igshid=vcbdq0n95e6l

[igigisaggi]

Follow the Gigi Saggi Dance Band. Dance Music for Earthly Survival:  https://www.instagram.com/gigisaggidancebd/ https://gigisaggidanceband.github.io/

[zhmahrukh987-blog]

[eco-modern-city]

What a shame 😭😭😭 . Follow ➡️ @eco_modern_city . #shameless #systemchange #savetheearth #love #lionking #amazon #lessplastic #instafashion #instagood #instalove #inspiration #car #cars #ferrari #luxury #lamborghini #airbus #starbucks #goodnight #globalwarmingisreal #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #greenearth #climatejustice #iran #iraq #canada #germany #france #italy https://www.instagram.com/p/B8-XnYGH53G/?igshid=iatcbddj3uyo

[afahomo]

individual change and system change, we need both and they can only exist together

individual change: consiousness, mindfullness, intentional living, (low waste), listening, empathy, politics, getting angry & connected with one's emotions, rebelling; connecting with earth, grounding oneself, growth, daring to imagine

system change: people coming together, listening, organizing, connecting, collective life, sharing, learning together, growing together, empathy and deep connection, understanding, action!!!!

the term low waste was created to recognize, that rather than driving to fullfill the impossible task to be a perfect individual (zero waste) and only focusing on that like it's the only purpose of life and something that can save us, we realize that there's power when we come together and that the bigger picture is beyond individuality. it's all connected of course, but the change that we need is out of our reach, if we act individually.

the term zero waste was created for businneses to stop purposefully overproducing and destroying brand new goods for profit, wasting and polluting, all for profit, but somehow it all got turned into individual choices. the focus went off the big corporations and the blame was placed on individuals. there are no ethical choices under capitalism, so we must change the system. to demand those who are struggling just to survive, the poor and the marginalized, to "consume ethically" is extremely privileged and violent. to place the blame on individuals and to act like we can solve the climate crisis by acting individually is completely disconnected with reality and only serving capitalism. rather than worrying about a plastic wrap on a ready-made meal and shaming someone for buying one, let's focus our energy and everything we got to collect what we need to build a completely new system. we need collective action and we need each other. we need climate justice.

going low waste and changing and growing as individuals in the process can help us connect with earth, ground ourselves and get an idea of what life beyond capitalism and consumption could be like. but the change that we really need happens when we the people come together, take care of each other and change the system.

[cafe-tschuesch]

🐢💨 #YallaHabibis! 👉 #CLIMATECHANGE is already there so come by fast for an #icedream made by a little company called #PaletasBerlin! 🍦🍦🍦 so #fuckOFFnestle and remember - we will need a #SYSTEMCHANGE to rescue this #bluePLANET so #wakeUP and start #YOURrevolution! 🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍 #tschüsch uP your berlinsummerday! 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 #berlin #revolutionfood #icecreamberlin #veganberlin #veganicecreamberlin #NEUKÖLLNifornia #paletas #veganesEis #eisberlin #FuckNestle #NoNestle #GoVegan #RescueThisPlanet (hier: café tschüsch) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tvJd4IaDH/?igshid=ucoh3iw4qani

[ukemyworld]

We ARE nature.

Those words from David Attenborough is the only comfort regarding climate change. There have been 5 known mass extinctions in the past. There is no reason to think that somehow humans are “special” and that mass extinction does not apply to us. I will not pass a future to a child to watch them suffer for food and water, mass immigration causing fighting for the drying up of resources and eventual chaos. My wife and I have a lot of friends who recently have had babies. We are not judging them. However I am concerned for their future.

I am a school teacher and I look at my students with fear and concern. I try my best to empower them to take action. The one hope I have is that when humanity has a common enemy or problem (the environment) it has the potential to unite our species. Remember South Africa’s day zero? However, when everything is thrown into chaos from food shortages (bee extinctions, floods, droughts) and water shortages, you can imagine how dangerous the future will be.

You can already see this dark future unfolding: 21 cities in India will run out of water, including the city Chennai, where I currently live. If we pretend nothing is wrong people will perish. With this uncertainty of the direction of humanity (unity or chaos) my wife and I feel it is just unfair and cruel to bring a child into the world where I cannot guarantee food, water, and shelter in 10-15 years.

We are nature. And maybe part of our nature is to run its course to extinction. It’s happened before, and it’s happening again. In a way, we’re kind of lucky to watch how mass extinctions unfold over time.

[hansschwab]

noch 6 tage! ❌ #klimastreik zur #klimawahl ❌❌❌ #24.09.2021 - 14:30 #opernplatz #climatestrike #nextlevel #keingradweiter #fridaysforfuturehannover #fridaysforfuture #fff2021 #alldaysforfuture #nextfuture #klimacamphannover #forthenextgeneration #systemchange #savetheearth #hannover #madewithpaper #paper53 #wetransfer (hier: Hanover, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-e87hMI3e/?utm_medium=tumblr