World Peace

On a scale of 1 out 5 with 5 being most influential, how influential are private citizens in the global world order like Elon & Kushner?

GoogleAI Mode: “Private citizens like Elon Musk and Jared Kushner are highly influential, consistently rating around a 5 out of 5 on a scale where 5 is most influential. Their influence often rivals and sometimes exceeds that of many traditional state actors, particularly through their immense wealth and close ties to government power. 

Elon Musk

Musk’s influence stems from his vast wealth and control over critical technology and information platforms. 

Technology and Federal Government Access: As the CEO of companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter), Musk holds sway over key infrastructure and communication channels. He has held significant, albeit unelected, advisory roles within the U.S. government (such as leading the “Department of Government Efficiency”), which has given him access to sensitive government systems and information, raising concerns among some about the blending of private and public power.

Political and Ideological Influence: Musk is a major political donor and uses his platform on X to shape public opinion and political discourse, often amplifying right-leaning content and engaging in foreign political interventions in countries like Germany and the UK. This ability to influence opinion and policy on a global scale demonstrates a significant shift in the traditional paradigm of politics. 

Jared Kushner

Kushner’s influence is largely derived from his past role as a senior White House advisor and his continuing business and personal relationships with global leaders, particularly in the Middle East. 

Diplomacy and Middle East Affairs: In his former role, Kushner was a driving force behind the Abraham Accords and remains a trusted, informal advisor on Middle East diplomacy. His ongoing involvement in sensitive peace talks illustrates how personal ties can facilitate high-stakes international negotiations even without a formal government title.

Financial Power and Conflicts of Interest: Since leaving public office, Kushner founded a private equity firm, Affinity Partners, which has received substantial investments (billions of dollars) from the governments of Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. This blending of business and statecraft raises concerns among ethics experts about potential conflicts of interest and “backdoor foreign policy” fears, highlighting his ability to leverage political relationships for financial gain. 

In the contemporary global order, wealthy and well-connected private citizens are increasingly significant non-state actors, using their financial resources and access to information and power to actively shape international relations and governance.”