Companies —for better or worse— have been shaping our daily lives for over two centuries. It all began with the Industrial Revolution. Subsequently, states attempted to control the growing influence of businesses and entrepreneurs, while citizens could choose their leaders. This arrangement has persisted until today.

However, in the 2020s, the balance has shifted. The market is monopolized by a few multinationals, which are growing larger: in the U.S., the dividing line between Walmart, the world's largest retail chain, and the halls of Congress is not clear. This unchecked phenomenon affects all countries around the world.

It is increasingly in the interest of businesses to act like nations — and thus invest in defense, foreign trade contracts, artificial intelligence, and the collection and use of data. In the next ten years, our lives will change dramatically.

Alec Ross is very familiar with the rules governing new technologies and the existential, political, and economic transformation we are undergoing. As one of the leading experts in innovation, the author reveals the logic behind the power of giants and tells captivating stories about the new era of monopolies.

At the same time, he lays the groundwork for a new social contract that can meet the needs of workers and citizens in the face of an unprecedented global revolution.