The Game Between Old and New Capital: The Interweaving of Technological Innovation and Political Power

Trump's candidacy again marks a new stage in the relationship between technology, Web3, and real politics. In addition to the appointments of key positions on the surface, the influence of some behind-the-scenes figures cannot be overlooked, with Peter Thiel being particularly prominent.

Peter Thiel is not only a well-known entrepreneur and investor but also plays an important role in the political arena. If there is a tech entrepreneur who is the main protagonist of this election drama, then Peter Thiel is more like the strategist behind the scenes. His influence may shape the position of tech capital in American and even global politics for a considerable time in the future.

Peter Thiel and J.D. Vance: A Model of Political and Business Alliance

In 2011, Peter Thiel criticized the societal blind adherence to traditional career paths during a speech at Yale Law School, emphasizing that technological innovation should address real-world issues. His remarks deeply influenced the student J.D. Vance present at the time, prompting him to rethink his career planning.

Under the influence of Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance abandoned his traditional legal career to join Thiel's venture capital firm and began to venture into the field of venture capital. During this time, Vance wrote the memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," describing his upbringing in a working-class family in Ohio.

The book quickly became a bestseller after its publication and is considered to reveal the mindset of supporters from specific groups. Interestingly, as Trump's current vice president, Vance initially held a critical attitude towards Trump but gradually established a connection with him under the recommendation of Peter Thiel.

Peter Thiel not only arranged the meeting between Vance and Trump but also provided significant support for Vance's political career, including donating large sums of money to political action committees supporting Vance. With Thiel's support, Vance successfully won the election for Ohio Senator and became Trump's running mate for the vice presidency. This reflects the influence of certain conservative forces in Silicon Valley on American politics.

Capital Power Reshuffle: The Confrontation of New and Old Forces

This year's US presidential election is more like the prelude to a power reshuffle within capitalism. The "new capital" represented by the Silicon Valley tech nouveau riche is challenging the "old capital" represented by Wall Street, vying for greater discourse power and profit distribution rights.

In the past decade, emerging fields represented by AI and cryptocurrencies have become engines of economic growth. These emerging industries emphasize efficiency, innovation, and decentralization, calling for "less regulation" as a common demand. From Web3 to AI, "decentralization" and "liberalization" have become core narratives, painting a vision of efficiency and free capital flow.

However, this path of liberalization and deregulation may further reinforce the dominant position of tech giants and capital magnates. New technologies will concentrate wealth more efficiently, which could accelerate the widening gap between the rich and the poor, while marginalizing the interests of groups such as traditional industry workers. This inherent contradiction may become a deep-seated driving force for the future fractures in American society.

The Key Decisions of the Future

In the longer term, whether the American political and economic system can find a balance between "new capital" and "old capital" will directly determine the final direction of this power reshuffle. "Old capital" needs to adapt more flexibly to the social changes brought about by new technologies, while defending its core position in rule-making. "New capital" must persuade a broader society to accept the cost of wealth redistribution brought about by technological expansion.

The outcome of this struggle not only concerns the political and economic landscape of the United States but will also profoundly impact the future direction of global capitalism. A new era of more globalized and technology-driven capital is approaching, and the key lies in how to redefine the distribution patterns of power, resources, and rules.

Cryptocurrency and AI will undoubtedly be the main battleground. The entire cryptocurrency sector is both a symbol of decentralized finance and capital liberalization, as well as a key lever for tech capital to counter traditional finance and reshape the rules.

The future is full of opportunities, whether it's AI, cryptocurrencies, or other emerging fields, their core narrative remains appealing: freedom, efficiency, innovation. This process will also test whether all parties can find a compromise amid conflicting interests.

From the current political situation to Peter Thiel's behind-the-scenes strategies, what we are witnessing is not just an election, but a struggle for the future rules. This is bound to be a profound contest over resources, power, and rules.