‘Capitalism has to become more humane’: a Stanford economist on big tech, power hoarding and...
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EN: The Present Perfect tense ('has argued') is used here to introduce a claim that was made in the past but remains relevant and influential in the current discussion. In academic or journalistic reporting, it often introduces a scholar's ongoing stance.
The professor has argued that climate change requires immediate global intervention.
EN: The preposition 'by' followed by a gerund ('concentrating') functions as an adverbial of manner, explaining the method or means by which the main action ('eroding') is achieved.
She improved her English by reading international news every morning.
EN: The 'that' clause functions as a noun clause (content clause), serving as the direct object of the verb 'argued'. It encapsulates the entire proposition being made by the subject.
Many experts believe that artificial intelligence will transform the job market.
EN: The term 'oligarch' traditionally refers to extremely wealthy business leaders in Russia who wield significant political influence. By applying this term to 'tech' leaders in the US, Kurz is making a provocative comparison, suggesting that Silicon Valley's power has become anti-democratic and similar to authoritarian economic structures.
EN: The use of 'scheduled for' acts as a reduced relative clause (which is scheduled for), providing additional information about a noun (the book) without needing a full relative clause.
The conference, scheduled for next October, will address climate change.
EN: The verb 'contend' is a formal reporting verb used to express a strong opinion or argument, often in academic or journalistic contexts, followed by a 'that' clause.
Critics contend that the new policy will harm the local economy.
EN: The present perfect tense 'has entered' is used here to describe a state that began in the past and is currently relevant or ongoing.
The industry has entered a period of rapid transformation.
EN: The mention of a book's publication date and title in news reporting is a standard way to establish the authority and current relevance of an expert's opinion. 'Private Power and Democracy's Decline' reflects a growing concern in Western political discourse regarding the influence of large corporations on democratic processes.
EN: The verb 'maintain' is used here as a reporting verb in a formal register, meaning to strongly assert or state a belief or opinion, often in the face of potential disagreement.
The researcher maintains that the data supports a different conclusion.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' functions as the direct object of the verb 'maintains', allowing for the expression of a complex proposition or argument.
She believes that technology will eventually solve the climate crisis.
EN: The present perfect 'since industrialisation began' uses 'since' followed by a specific point in time (the past simple 'began') to indicate a duration that continues into the present.
The city has undergone significant changes since the new law was passed.
EN: The mention of 'industrialisation' refers to the historical shift from agrarian economies to industrial ones, which Kurz argues created patterns of wealth concentration that are repeating today with tech giants. This reflects a common academic critique in Western economic discourse comparing the current 'Tech Age' to the 'Gilded Age'.
EN: The structure 'regard A as B' is a common formal way to describe how someone perceives or categorizes something. It is often used in academic or journalistic contexts to discuss viewpoints.
Many critics regard the new policy as a significant step toward social equality.
EN: The past participle 'destined' functions as an adjective modifying 'beings'. It implies a sense of fate or an inevitable future outcome, often used to describe a perceived purpose.
He felt that he was destined to lead the company through the crisis.
EN: The present perfect tense 'have historically regarded' indicates an action or state that began in the past and has continued or repeated up to the present time, emphasizing a long-standing pattern.
Scientists have historically struggled to explain the origins of this phenomenon.
EN: The term 'mogul' (or 'tycoon') often refers to individuals who have built vast empires in specific industries. In American history, this echoes the 'Robber Barons' of the Gilded Age, suggesting a critique of the immense power held by modern tech leaders like those at Google or Meta.
EN: The use of 'such as' is a common way to introduce specific examples of a general category (in this case, 'industrialists'). It functions as a prepositional phrase modifying the preceding noun.
Tech giants such as Apple and Google have redefined modern communication.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to justify their dominance' acts as an adverbial of purpose, explaining why the industrialists distorted social Darwinism.
The company implemented new policies to improve employee retention.
EN: The 'Gilded Age' (a term coined by Mark Twain) refers to the late 19th century in the U.S., characterized by rapid economic growth but also severe social problems and corruption. 'Social Darwinism' was the pseudo-scientific theory that individuals or groups are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals, often used to justify political conservatism, imperialism, and racism and to discourage intervention and reform.
EN: The past participle phrase 'convinced that...' functions as an adjectival modifier (a reduced relative clause) describing the subject 'They'. It expresses a state of mind or a reason that coincides with the main action.
The scientist remained silent, convinced that his discovery would eventually be recognized.
EN: The reflexive pronoun 'itself' is used here for emphasis (intensive pronoun), placed immediately after the noun 'nature' to stress that it was nature alone, and no other force, that made the selection.
The CEO herself handled the negotiations to ensure the deal was finalized.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to wield influence over' acts as an adverbial of purpose or result, explaining why they were selected or what they were selected to do.
The committee was granted the authority to wield influence over the city's urban planning.
EN: The sentence refers to the historical misuse of Social Darwinism by industrialists like Carnegie and Rockefeller during the Gilded Age. They adapted biological concepts of 'survival of the fittest' to justify economic inequality and their own dominant positions in society, viewing their wealth as a sign of evolutionary superiority.
EN: The idiom 'draw a parallel between A and B' is used to compare two things, suggesting they are similar or have common characteristics. The adjective 'striking' is often added to emphasize that the similarity is obvious or surprising.
The historian drew a striking parallel between the fall of Rome and modern economic crises.
EN: The term 'power broker' refers to a person who influences political or economic decisions through their connections and authority, often behind the scenes.
In the tech industry, venture capitalists often act as power brokers for new startups.
EN: The comparison between the 'Gilded Age' industrialists (like Carnegie and Rockefeller) and modern 'Tech Titans' (like Musk or Zuckerberg) is a common theme in contemporary American economic discourse, highlighting concerns about wealth inequality and the influence of private corporations on public life.
EN: The verb 'note' followed by a 'that' clause is a formal reporting structure used to introduce a specific observation or fact. In academic and journalistic contexts, it maintains a neutral but authoritative tone.
The researcher noted that the data showed a significant correlation between the two variables.
EN: The prefix 'quasi-' is used to indicate that something is 'seemingly' or 'partially' like something else, but not completely. It is often used in formal writing to describe complex concepts that share characteristics with a known category.
The organization operates in a quasi-governmental capacity, though it is privately funded.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to become a transcendent force for good' functions as an adjectival modifier for the noun 'potential', specifying the nature or purpose of that potential.
She has the potential to lead the company through this crisis.
EN: The term 'force for good' is a common idiomatic expression in English-speaking corporate and philanthropic circles, often used by tech leaders to frame their innovations as morally positive despite potential risks. The use of 'quasi-mystical' and 'transcendent' reflects a specific trend in Silicon Valley known as 'effective accelerationism' or techno-optimism, where AI is viewed in almost religious terms.
EN: The present participle phrase (v-ing) 'raising...' acts as a resultative clause, indicating a consequence of the preceding main clause. This is a common feature of formal academic and journalistic writing to show cause and effect.
The factory closed down, leaving hundreds of people out of work.
EN: The modal verb 'could' is used here to express a strong possibility or potential future outcome, which is more tentative than 'will' but more formal than 'might' in this context of expert prediction.
A sudden change in policy could disrupt the entire market.
EN: The adverb 'openly' modifies the verb 'acknowledged' to emphasize the transparency or lack of secrecy regarding the statement. Placing 'also' before 'openly' adds an additional layer of information to the subject's actions.
The candidate has also openly criticized the current administration.
EN: The term 'precipitate' is often used in high-level socio-economic discussions to describe a sudden or premature event, reflecting the urgency and gravity of the AI debate in Silicon Valley. Dario Amodei, as the CEO of Anthropic, represents a 'safety-first' faction within the AI industry, which contrasts with more accelerationist views.
EN: The sentence uses an inverted conditional structure where 'Should' replaces 'If' at the beginning. This is a formal way to express a first conditional (If + subject + present simple), suggesting a possibility that is considered serious or formal in tone.
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EN: The verb 'gravitate' followed by the preposition 'towards' is used metaphorically to describe a natural movement or attraction toward a particular idea, person, or group.
In times of economic uncertainty, many investors gravitate towards gold as a safe haven.
EN: The reporting verb 'cautioned' is placed as an interjection (parenthetical expression) between the conditional clause and the main clause. This is a common journalistic style to attribute a statement while maintaining the flow of the argument.
The situation is volatile, the general noted, and could change at any moment.
EN: The sentence reflects a common concern in political science regarding 'populism' and 'democratic backsliding.' It suggests that when liberal democracy fails to provide economic security for the working class, the resulting discontent can lead to the rise of extremist ideologies like fascism, echoing historical patterns from the 1930s.
EN: The adverb 'however' can be placed at the end of a sentence to contrast with a previous statement. In formal writing, it is often set off by a comma. It functions as a conjunctive adverb indicating a shift in perspective.
The project is over budget; the results are promising, however.
EN: The phrase 'grounds for' is used to describe a reason, justification, or basis for a particular belief, action, or feeling. It is often followed by a noun or a gerund.
The evidence provided sufficient grounds for a formal investigation.
EN: The verb 'emphasise' (or 'emphasize') is followed by a 'that' clause to report a statement with particular force or importance. This is a common structure in academic and journalistic reporting.
The report emphasised that climate change requires immediate global action.
EN: The term 'cautious optimism' is a common idiomatic expression in English-speaking political and economic discourse. It suggests that while there are positive signs, one should remain aware of potential risks or challenges. It reflects a balanced, analytical temperament often expected in academic or high-level journalistic writing.
EN: The use of 'curtailed' and 'extended' as parallel past tense verbs. In formal writing, using precise verbs connected by 'and' allows for a concise description of multiple actions taken by a single subject (New Deal reforms).
The new policy restricted carbon emissions and promoted renewable energy sources.
EN: The adjective 'vital' functions as a high-level synonym for 'essential' or 'crucial,' often used in academic or journalistic contexts to emphasize the necessity of a support system or protection.
International aid provides vital supplies to the war-torn region.
EN: The phrase 'vulnerable communities' is a standard sociological and political term used to describe groups of people who are at higher risk of poverty, discrimination, or social exclusion.
The government must ensure that healthcare is accessible to vulnerable communities.
EN: The 'New Deal' refers to a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1939. It was a response to the 'Great Depression' and fundamentally changed the role of the federal government in the economy, introducing social safety nets that are still debated in modern American politics.
EN: The sentence uses an inverted conditional structure ('Were... to be') to express a hypothetical or formal condition. This is a more formal alternative to 'If similar structural reforms were to be implemented'. It often suggests a degree of uncertainty or a formal proposal.
Were the CEO to resign tomorrow, the company would face a leadership crisis.
EN: The phrase 'without sacrificing' uses a gerund after a preposition to indicate a condition or method. It expresses that the second action (becoming more humane) does not cause the loss of the first quality (dynamism).
We must increase production without sacrificing quality.
EN: The reporting verb 'suggested' is placed at the end of the sentence (an inverted reporting clause), which is common in journalistic writing to emphasize the content of the statement over the speaker.
The economy is showing signs of recovery, the analyst noted.
EN: The sentence refers to the 'New Deal' era of the 1930s as a precedent. In American political discourse, referencing structural reforms often invokes the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used government intervention to save capitalism from its own excesses during the Great Depression. The term 'dynamism' is a key value in Western economic thought, representing the ability of a system to innovate and grow.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
The theory that individuals, groups, and peoples are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals.
A period of gross materialism and blatant political corruption in U.S. history during the 1870s-1890s.
People who influence the decisions that other people make, especially in politics or business.
Reasons or evidence that justify a feeling of hope or confidence about the future.