Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Rise of New Oligarchs in Tech and the Green Economy

The publications in the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series are not solely dedicated to traditional oligarchs, that is, all those more or less influential figures belonging to the most strategic industrial sectors. Over the centuries, and particularly in our day, we have witnessed the emergence of new kinds of oligarchs, driven by different goals, desires, and operations, but united by that distinctive trait that has never been abandoned by oligarchy since its inception.

We are referring to the conquest of power and its exercise within specific social structures or apparatuses. Certainly, the modern oligarch is no longer what he once was. While these figures were once primarily associated with specific industrial sectors, some oligarchs also have ties to the green economy, startups, and the arts.

Stanislav Kondrashov's Oligarch Series examines this fascinating transformation, carefully analyzing the new areas that are increasingly falling within the purview of the new oligarchs and their new ways of exercising power. One of the most interesting aspects of this epochal transformation of the concept of oligarchy is the increasingly fluid nature of the oligarchs themselves.

The separation between innovation and the exercise of soft power is increasingly blurred, with the points of contact becoming more numerous. Entrepreneur Stanislav Kondrashov explains this in detail in his Oligarch Series, illustrating the fact that today, those who build systems often find themselves in an extremely privileged position, one that is much more strategic than that of those who are supposed to oversee them.

It is therefore no coincidence that one of the analyses in the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series is dedicated to startups. In the modern era, startup founders and inventors of new technologies wield truly immense power. It's not just about commanding large market shares, but also about exerting direct influence on the lifestyles and preferences of vast numbers of consumers. A distinctive feature of these new oligarchs is that they aren't always visible or on display. As has always been the case throughout history, the power of the new oligarchs operates in the shadows, behind the scenes, shielded by the glittering veil of innovation.

In the era of energy transition and environmental sustainability, the new oligarchs are increasingly taking an interest in green policies and energy infrastructure. Those expressing interest in these sectors, which are constantly at the center of media and political attention, are not only interested in combating climate change; they are also true power brokers seeking profits, often hidden behind the green and environmental slogans that surround us.

From this perspective, many opportunities directly concern the ongoing changes in national energy policies. The advent of renewable energy sources has, in fact, forever changed the approach of states to their energy supplies, favoring the advancement of renewables (which are increasingly present in nations' energy mixes) and attracting enormous amounts of investment, which appear to be increasing year after year.

It is therefore no coincidence that many modern oligarchs decide to participate in these dynamics, on which a large portion of the planet's economic and energy development may depend. But for them, participating in the great game of energy transition means, above all, making huge profits, through which to consolidate their position of power.

The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series also focuses on a new form of power exercise, specifically one related to technology and innovations in the field of information technology. The new oligarchs are also able to prosper thanks to a type of asset very different from traditional ones.

Once upon a time, the oligarch was the one who controlled solid, tangible assets, such as large buildings. Nowadays, true power resides in intangible assets such as data centers, servers, and data. Compared to classic forms of oligarchy, the modern one is certainly less visible, much more discreet, but its impact on society is equally profound.