Ever wonder what the Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, David Sacks, Mark Andreessen and Curtis Darvin group is all about? They are working to accomplish in their quest to destroy our democracy and install a technology king. Here is a good summary - hard for me to believe that they are taken seriously in their quest to run the world. T

Anti-democratic ‘Dark Enlightenment’ ideas have spread from Silicon Valley to Washington

May 20, 2025

Christopher Collins

Christopher Collins is a visiting fellow at the Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University.

The version of record of this op-ed appeared in The Globe and Mail.

In an era of polarized politics and rapid technological change, a little-known far-right philosophical movement known as the Dark Enlightenment has quietly gained influence among certain circles in the United States. As this esoteric and obscure ideology becomes more popular – and as its influence on U.S. politics grows, albeit in a limited way – it becomes increasingly important for Canadians to understand it.

The loose collection of ideas that comprise Dark Enlightenment thinking emerged in the late 2000s through blogs and online forums popular among the Silicon Valley set. The two intellectual leaders of this movement, American software engineer Curtis Yarvin and British philosopher Nick Land, have written numerous essays that reject core Enlightenment principles such as democracy, egalitarianism, and universal liberty.

In place of Enlightenment institutions, Dark Enlightenment thinkers advocate for hierarchical, authoritarian systems of governance, enabled by technological innovation, and led by hybrid CEO-meets-monarch-like figures. For example, in a recent essay, Mr. Yarvin called for voters to elect a president who would assume complete executive authority (essentially monarchical power) and dismantle the American government system. Mr. Yarvin has also written that democracies should be replaced with “for-profit sovereign corporations.”

Beyond democracy, Dark Enlightenment thinkers are highly critical of other modern institutions, such as the media, civil service and academia. The movement collectively refers to these institutions as “the Cathedral” and advocates for them to be torn down. For years Mr. Yarvin has called for a “RAGE” (retire all government employees) plan to “reboot” the U.S. government.

The Dark Enlightenment’s relevance lies in its growing influence among certain segments of the U.S. elite, especially in the technology sector. For example, a recent biography of influential tech billionaire Peter Thiel described Mr. Yarvin as the “house political philosopher” for a network of technologists called “the Thielverse.” Mr. Yarvin himself has said claimed Mr. Thiel is “fully enlightened.” And leading American venture capitalist Marc Andreesen called Mr. Yarvin “a friend of mine.”

In recent years, the popularity of this philosophy has spread from Silicon Valley to Washington. Vice-President JD Vance, who formerly worked for Peter Thiel, considers Mr. Yarvin a friend and has spoken favourably about his ideas. Steve Bannon is reportedly a fan of Mr. Yarvin and Mr. Land’s writing. Elon Musk, who has echoed Dark Enlightenment ideas in public statements, is now using the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to attempt the institutional dismantling the movement has advocated. Finally, and perhaps most tellingly, Mr. Yarvin was a guest of honour at President Donald Trump‘s inauguration ball in January.

While the Dark Enlightenment remains a niche philosophy with limited mainstream appeal, Canadians should consider a potential future where key decisions in Washington reflect elements of this philosophy in ways that impact U.S. markets, policy and cross-border relations.

For example, in December, 2024, David Sacks, a technology entrepreneur and long-time “Thielverse” member, was appointed the Trump Administration’s AI and cryptocurrency “czar.” While Mr. Sacks has not explicitly endorsed Dark Enlightenment thinking, he frequently expresses skepticism of government institutions and is very supportive of deregulation. Since Mr. Sacks’ appointment, there has been frenzied speculation around the future of U.S. crypto, with discussions including potentially exempting crypto profits from taxation or creating a U.S. government cryptocurrency “strategic reserve.” Such moves could draw Canadian investors into volatile U.S. crypto markets or could lead to currently unforeseen financial shocks that ripple through Canada’s investment landscape.

More seriously, the Dark Enlightenment-inspired war on the U.S. administrative state – already well under way at DOGE – could create significant disruptions in U.S. governance, with substantial implications for Canada. The dismantling of crucial government agencies such as the CDC, FDA and EPA may have unintended consequences that flow north across the border. These could include reduced capacity to respond to disease outbreaks that affect both countries, compromised food and drug safety standards that impact cross-border trade, or weakened environmental protections for shared waterways and air quality. More generally, the war on the U.S. administrative state will impact on how the American government is able to operate, with wide-ranging implications on everything from foreign policy to financial markets.

Currently, the Dark Enlightenment’s influence in American politics and society is constrained by its esoteric nature and controversial stands. It remains a fringe set of ideas, with its rejection of democratic norms alienating mainstream leaders from both parties. Yet its ideas persist in shaping debates about technology, power and governance. For Canadians, the take-away should be not alarm but awareness: this fringe philosophy, while unlikely to dominate, could subtly shape U.S. policies and markets, with ripple effects northward. In our interconnected world, understanding the intellectual currents in our largest trading partner is not just a matter of academic curiosity – it’s practical wisdom for a complex future.

https://cascadeinstitute.org/dark-enlightenment/