UD Professor Discusses the Possibility of An American Oligarchy

(Photo courtesy of @WEConSolana on X)

Rachel Smith | News Editor

The United States has been experiencing a shift in the political climate since the start of the 2024 election season. With this, new conversations have ushered in a sense of unease felt around the country. Whether the concerns lay within major political players, the economy, or the increasing polarization of American political parties, one thing remains clear: the American people seem more divided now than ever. After President Biden’s Farewell address to the country on January 15, 2025, he stated “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.” 

An oligarchy is defined as a small group of very powerful, typically wealthy people that control a government of society.  

No matter the political affiliation, the message is evident. President Biden is warning the American people about the potential formation of an American Oligarchy in upcoming years. To help provide perspective on such a convoluted topic, Dr. Birdsong, a University of Dayton Political Science senior lecturer, agreed to share some of his insights with Flyer News regarding the current political climate. 

To help us understand the root of the unrest, Birdsong explained the concept of affective polarization. This phenomenon occurs when members of a political party dislike the opposing party, not out of policy disagreement, but from the simple fact that they belong to a differing party. This shift is not new, it has been slowly spreading throughout the American system for the past 20-30 years, however, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to magnify the political discrepancies and the lack of trust with the government. This decline in trust played a significant role in the dissatisfaction of the American people and the oppositional parties. 

Public perception and the media also played a critical role in shaping modern political ideologies. Birdsong explained that since the 90s, the news media has become nationalized and further fragmented into different news spaces which profit off of the demonization of other outlets. He advises students to approach the news with a sense of curiosity to learn and to listen to other people’s perspectives. Information contains bias and rhetoric, and it is crucial to question what you see and to think critically about the information you receive. 

It is because of nationalized news and the upcoming use of social media that an attention economy has emerged in public perception. Within this, CEOs and the ultra-wealthy (such as major players like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, etc.) have been driving attention to themselves on sites such as X. These people hold a unique position of power as they are more likely to donate and acquire access to decision-makers, which is how many of them gained access to political spaces such as President Donald Trump’s inauguration. 

Highly symbolic events such as a presidential inauguration present an insight into who the president-elect sees as important. What is interesting about hosting wealthy elites is the distinct lack of other important political powers, thus guiding the attention to the power of such attention economies and the tech industry in politics. This use of influence and wealth to gain political power is nothing new, however, the signposts for an oligarchy are still to be observed and monitored. 

Another buzzword that has been surrounding the power holders in the American system is fascism. Voices have raised concerns that not only is the US facing an oligarchic government due to the power that some wealthy people hold in our government, but many worry that there are also signs of a fascist regime. 

Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian ideology movement that preaches nationalist ideals and race above the individual.

When asked about it, Birdsong concluded that there were some similarities in how both historical regimes and current political figures asserted power to obtain an end, but how they are doing so is less democratic and more authoritarian by finding power where they did not previously have it. Recently, there has been an uptick in the use of presidential executive orders which contain orders which are seemingly outside of the bounds of the law. However, he believes that if we continue to reform the bureaucracy, work through Congress, and uphold the integrity of checks and balances then it will help restore faith in American democracy and bipartisan efforts. 

Birdsong emphasized the fact that we as American people have the power to influence the safeguarding of democratic practices. One of the key features is as simple as voting. Some states may make it difficult to vote, so be sure to stay up-to-date and educated about your state’s voting policies and hold your elected officials responsible for their representation of your needs. As students, he reminds us that we also have agency which can help build a brighter future. He hopes that students can stay educated on all aspects of the political climate and urges students to approach those interactions with an intent to learn and understand other perspectives. To close the gap political polarization presents, we should be listening to each other and disbanding any assumptions as to who others are and what they stand for. We should be thinking critically about what is happening and finding unity and solidarity during these times which seem to be conveying the opposite.