Techno-Feudalism: How the Lords of the Digital Realm Govern Us Serfs – An Incredibly Ugly and Unfair Economic Tale

by Yanis Varoufakis, Miwa Seki

In this provocative analysis, economist Yanis Varoufakis argues that capitalism has ended, giving way to a new system he terms "techno-feudalism." Dominated by tech giants like Google and Apple, these digital lords control vast platforms, extracting rents from users who have unwittingly become modern-day serfs. Varoufakis explores how these corporations have enclosed the once-open internet, transforming it into territories where users' free labor enhances the platforms' value. He challenges readers to recognize this shift and consider pathways to reclaim autonomy in the digital age. ​

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Economics, Academic

320 pages

Published February 26, 2025

About the author

Ioannis "Yanis" Varoufakis is a Greek-Australian economist and politician. A former academic, he has been Secretary-General of MeRA25, a left-wing political party, since he founded it in 2018. A former member of Syriza, he served as Minister of Finance from January to July 2015 under Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Reviews

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The irony of creating content/capital for a cloud provider by reviewing this book is not lost on me! But I think it’s worth it..

I learnt a lot about macroeconomics and there’s a lot to be inspired by here. 4 stars because there were some areas that I do know about (technology) where I felt that Varoufakis was playing a bit fast and loose to suit his argument, which then tempered my enthusiasm of the whole thing.

[Charles Liburd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested in understanding the world we live in and why we have to own the machines and supplant the owners who are on track to own our minds, should read this book. This is not socialism, it is not capitalism, it is the sense of the commons. Or, to use Varoufakis's words, putting the 'demos' back into democracy.

[Greg Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read , fuedalism of today

[Kathleen Bulteel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Varoufakis feels like a cousin of Harari, — both have the ability to back up their reflections with historically rich references, however Varoufakis seems to sometimes slip in a level of complexity that Harari avoids. I felt this especially in some moments where Varoufakis starts referencing past events, with somewhat of an assumption that the reader is aware of the context, and does not need explanation. On the other hand, while Harari offers a lot of historical context, I feel that he offers sufficient explanation within the book itself.

That being said, I hold Harari in high esteem, so that fact that Varoufakis made me think of Harari means that I found the book well written, and interesting. I think it's especially relevant to read in 2025, and to use as tool for reflection.

[Adam Schwalbe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. And to its credit, it has many interesting ideas. But Yanis’s writing suffers from a lack of careful argumentation. He spends lots of time up in the 10,000 foot view of the technofeudal idea, while neglecting the nitty gritty of what his ideas mean on the ground, what their limitations are, etc.
Again, intriguing ideas, but terrible arguments backing them up.

[Nathalie Bilinsky]

Yanis is awesome. I am not rating this one because I made the mistake of listening to it rather than reading it - listening to something this dense is difficult for me so I feel I didn't do it justice.

[Feli O'Garran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Varoufakis es siempre un must para entender nuestro mundo occidental

[Aleks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and complex read.

[Esther Eastwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me when I understand that we are all doomed and we live in a surveillance state with no escape 💔💔💔 but rent is due on Friday

[kathryn donovan]

I miss the early days of the internet (Web 1.0), where it was a free for all -- before we became serfs bonded to our phones.

[Franco Zuzunaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Tier Book. If you like the conceptualization of history akin to open veins of latin america youll like this book. It is hard to find a marxist book that offers pragmatic solutions.

[Wayne's · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever book and I think there is something to his idea.