5:59 v originále: U.S. Expert on the New Era of the World's Oligarchy

U.S. President Donald Trump likes to surround himself with wealthy individuals. This remains true even in his role as the world's most powerful politician. Is America transforming into an oligarchy?

It is an administration with the most billionaires and millionaires in the country's history. One of the president's closest confidants is the world's richest person who spearheads the government's effort to downsize the civil service. The holder of the highest office is a man whose business activities are dangerously intertwined with his political engagement.

These clues leave no room to be mistaken — they describe the U.S. since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. Has great wealth become a ticket to the highest levels of power in Trump's America? And, at the same time, is great power a tool to acquire great wealth?

"No, the United States is not becoming an oligarchy. It's been an oligarchy for a very long time, since the founding of the country," says American political scientist Jeffrey Winters. In an interview with the 5:59 news podcast, the Northwestern University professor admits that not everything remains the same. "What has changed is that we are in a period that I call ‘in-your-face oligarchy‘."

Listen to the full interview with Jeffrey Winters in English:

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This new oligarchy differs from previous ones in that it is more visible. According to Winters, the wealthy in the past knew that flaunting their power too openly was risky in a democratic society, where the equality of all citizens in the political process is paramount.

However, this mood is no longer the case in many places. "We are in a moment, especially in the United States, where oligarchs are feeling giddy. They're feeling brazen. They have no fear," notes the author of the award-winning book Oligarchy.

Jeffrey Winters points to the case of the luxury Boeing 747 that the United States accepted as a gift from Qatar earlier this week. After modifications, the plane is expected to serve as an Air Force One and will likely be acquired by Trump's presidential library after he leaves office. It is said to be of the most valuable gifts the U.S. government has ever received.

According to Winters, the "Qatari jet affair" has demonstrated the new attitude of today's wealthy and powerful in America — they believe they can do whatever they want. Meanwhile, democratic institutions seem unable to respond, American expert claims.

Why does Jeffrey Winters identify Russia and China as the most dangerous countries for oligarchs? What event triggered the unbridled influx of money into U.S. politics? And is the technological revolution we are living in working in favour or against the interests of the oligarchs? Find out by listening to the full 5:59 podcast in the audio player above.