Who really runs the world? The answer will surprise you

What we read, watch, browse, and eat, the headlines that grab our attention, the social media posts that confirms our fears and biases, the pills we pop and the weapons armies use, all of that and much else is controlled by a few networks of big companies, They have far more influence that any govt. Yet we barely think about them. Biden talked of a tech-industrial complex. But that’s just one part of a story. Here’s a primer
Introduction
Biden’s administration ends with a superpower shadow looming over America’s political horizon—not foreign adversaries, but a web of entrenched industrial forces that dwarf traditional governmental authority. These complexes—military, pharmaceutical, tech, fast food, news, and more—are not merely influential sectors; they are transcontinental giants with power surpassing that of many nation-states. As Trump prepares to assume the presidency, he doesn’t inherit a blank slate; he inherits this force, a global matrix of industries that operate above borders and beyond the reach of most governments. Their transnational dominance dispels the illusion that countries remain the ultimate sovereign entities. Instead, these complexes control supply chains, set the terms of trade, influence policy, and shape the world’s economies and cultures. For all the patriotic rhetoric, many nations, including the United States, are now subordinate to these sprawling powers—entities that challenge the very idea of the nation-state as the highest form of authority.
Some industrial complexes and their profit motives (Sorted by market size):
Global tech industrial complex
Market Size: $5–$6 trillion annually

A sector dominated by large technology firms, social media platforms, and algorithm-driven businesses that profit by manipulating user behavior. By designing systems that encourage addiction, exploit personal data, and rely on dark patterns, this complex sustains itself by fostering dependency and maximizing screen time.
The combined market value of major tech companies (like Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet) often exceeds $10 trillion, but their annual revenues—and thus their direct contributions to the global economy—are closer to $5–$6 trillion.
Moral complexity: While enabling unprecedented connectivity, innovation, and convenience, this complex also profits from exploiting user data, creating addictive platforms, and perpetuating digital divides. Algorithms that encourage polarizing content or harmful behavior can maximize engagement but come at a social cost.
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Global military industrial complex

Market size: Approximately $2.5 trillion annually

A network of defense contractors, weapons manufacturers, and military service providers that profits from the continuation of conflict, tension, and the global arms race. The more nations prepare for or engage in war, the more revenue this sector generates, creating an incentive to sustain rather than resolve militarized disputes.
Moral complexity: While much of the spending is justified as defensive and protective, the profitability of this industry increases with prolonged conflict, arms races, and even destruction. The more killing, death, and destruction occur, the more revenue the complex can generate. However, some funds also go toward peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
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Global arts and entertainment industrial complex

Market size: Over $2 trillion annually
A conglomerate of media corporations, streaming services, record labels, and art distributors that profits by encouraging constant consumption of entertainment content. Instead of enriching culture for its own sake, the industry often prioritizes mass appeal and commercial success, sometimes at the expense of deeper cultural or intellectual value.
This includes films, music, live performances, fine arts, and visual media. As of recent years, the combined entertainment and media market size surpassed $2 trillion, including streaming services, blockbuster movies, and global music production and distribution.
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Global animal agriculture industrial complex

Market size: Approximately $2 trillion annually
A vast network of livestock farms, meat processing plants, feed producers, and distribution systems that collectively drive one of the largest and most impactful industries globally. By perpetuating demand for meat and animal-derived products, this complex thrives on industrial-scale farming practices, unsustainable resource use, and dependence on antibiotics and monoculture feed crops. Its growth has exacerbated critical environmental issues such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss.
The meat and dairy industry contributes significantly to global warming, with about 26% of global food emissions coming from livestock farming. Additionally, over 70% of global poultry biomass and almost 95% of global mammal biomass (excluding humans) is dominated by livestock, underscoring the scale of this industry. Ethical concerns, including the mass slaughter of approximately 100 billion animals annually, and public health risks like antibiotic resistance, add to its systemic challenges.
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Global pharmaceutical industrial complex

Market size: Approximately $1.5 trillion annually

A system of pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and healthcare distributors that benefits financially when people are chronically ill or reliant on ongoing medication. While developing cures and treatments is beneficial, the profit motive may emphasize lifelong prescriptions and high-cost medications over affordable, one-time solutions.
Moral complexity: The pharmaceutical industry produces life-saving drugs, vaccines, and treatments that have dramatically improved global health outcomes. Yet, the same industry caused the opioid crisis in the United States by prioritizing aggressive marketing and sales over patient safety. This dual reality highlights a tension between innovation and the risks of profit-driven practices.
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Global fast food industrial complex

Market size: Around $850 billion annually

A web of fast food chains, processed food manufacturers, quick-service outlets, and producers of packaged foods such as potato chips, biscuits, and soda that capitalize on convenience and unhealthy eating habits. By creating highly addictive, calorie-dense, and nutritionally poor products, this complex thrives on consumers’ convenience-driven choices, often at the cost of public health.
Moral complexity: While providing affordable, convenient meals and supporting economic activity, this complex’s reliance on processed, nutritionally poor foods contributes to global health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Aggressive marketing of unhealthy products, particularly to children and underserved communities, amplifies these public health challenges.
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Global news industrial complex

Market size: Approximately $300 billion annually
A collection of news networks, media companies, and digital publishers that generate revenue through advertising, subscriptions, and click-driven content. This structure can incentivize sensationalism, polarized reporting, and “outrage media,” feeding the public a constant stream of conflict and controversy rather than balanced information.
Moral complexity: The news industry plays a critical role in keeping the public informed and holding power to account. However, the pursuit of clicks and advertising dollars can also drive sensationalism and misinformation, harming public trust and discourse.
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Global influencer industrial complex
Market size: Estimated at $20 billion annually
A network of social media personalities, marketing agencies, and brand partnerships that benefits from shallow engagement and short attention spans. By promoting curated lifestyles and fostering a culture of quick consumption, it often rewards surface-level appeal over meaningful interaction or authentic value.
The Influencer Industrial Complex, while still relatively small at an estimated $20 billion annually, exhibits the characteristics of an emerging sector with the potential for exponential growth. With increasing consumer reliance on social media, higher engagement rates, and more businesses shifting advertising budgets toward influencer partnerships, this complex could see a steep growth trajectory resembling a hockey stick pattern. Over time, as digital platforms expand and influencer-driven commerce gains more acceptance, the market is poised to scale rapidly.
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Neologisms for understanding the complexes
In describing the dynamics of these industrial complexes, several new terms help capture their overarching characteristics: