The Entrepreneurial Turn in Politics Salvation or

          The Entrepreneurial Turn in Politics: Salvation or Threat?
                By Vladmir Angelblazer.


       In an era of economic upheaval and systemic inertia, modern governance calls for leaders who embody innovation and accountability. Traditional politics, dominated by career bureaucrats and bankers, often breeds stagnation and myopic decision-making. The rise of entrepreneurial leaders like Donald Trump demonstrates an alternative: a governance model defined by bold solutions, efficiency, and results-driven leadership.

       Entrepreneurs, unshackled by the interests of entrenched bureaucratic elites, bring agility and vision to the political arena. They focus on solving problems with the same vigor they apply to building enterprises. Canada, grappling with housing crises, economic uncertainty, and innovation deficits, could benefit from leaders who transcend the status quo. The message is clear: the future demands not just compassion but capability—leaders who can deliver systemic renewal alongside social justice.

       Yet, this vision of entrepreneurial leadership invites skepticism. Critics argue that billionaires like Trump, Elon Musk, and Kevin O’Leary are not disruptors of the status quo but its ultimate beneficiaries. Far from dismantling entrenched elites, such figures represent a new face of oligarchy—amassing wealth, consolidating influence, and gaining access to political power to serve private interests.

       “Entrepreneurs in politics have not always delivered the promised transformation,” some argue. In British Columbia, under the BC Liberal Party, entrepreneurial leadership manifested in slashing budgets, privatizing services, and inflating housing costs through an influx of foreign and criminal money. Public assets were sold off to create the illusion of balanced budgets, leaving a legacy of deep systemic issues.

       This critique extends beyond Canada. Globally, entrepreneurial leaders have often pursued policies favoring their own class, exploiting tax loopholes and securing lucrative government contracts. “If these billionaires weren’t entrenched elites, their taxes would go up. They wouldn’t be first in line for state-backed deals,” detractors assert.

       The debate sharpens: Are entrepreneurial politicians agents of renewal or architects of corruption? Are they the pragmatic innovators who will solve our most pressing crises, or are they opportunists who will entrench inequality under the guise of disruption?

       The truth likely lies in the balance between these views. The entrepreneurial turn in politics offers tantalizing possibilities but also profound risks. It is a movement that demands vigilance, accountability, and a critical examination of its promises. As nations like Canada and the United States grapple with the prospect of such leadership, the question remains: who will ultimately benefit, and at what cost?

       The rise of entrepreneurs in politics leaves us with a question mark—a prompt for reflection and dialogue about the kind of leaders we truly need.



              Victoria, B.C., 2024-11-18