English – The Conversation | Supervillain or Cicero? Why Palantir’s manifesto has such sinister vibes by Daniel Baldino, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Notre Dame Australia AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information. Palantir’s recent manifesto, distilled from CEO Alex Karp’s book *The Technological Republic*, frames a hierarchy of civilizations, denounces pluralism, and argues that democratic societies must rely on “hard power” – not just military force but the AI‑driven technologies that shape its use – even calling for compulsory military service and AI‑powered weapons. Critics liken the rhetoric to a comic‑book supervillain’s grandiose monologue, while also noting its classical‑Cicero‑like appeal to civic duty and civilizational survival, suggesting the company is positioning itself as a moral arbiter rather than a mere technology provider. By embedding its tools in defence, intelligence and policing systems worldwide, Palantir is not only selling software but also shaping a geopolitical narrative that normalises the concentration of power beyond democratic accountability, manufacturing a sense of inevitability that narrows public debate about the acceptable limits of state and corporate authority. Read more: https://theconversation.com/supervillain-or-cicero-why-palantirs-manifesto-has-such-sinister-vibes-281521 #Palantir #AlexKarp #SiliconValley #USmilitary #Cicero