A new report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has named seven major corporations that it claims are systematically undermining democracy on a global scale. These corporations—Amazon, Blackstone, ExxonMobil, Glencore, Meta, Tesla, and The Vanguard Group—allegedly exert immense control over governments, workers, and public policy, often at the expense of human rights, workers’ rights, and the planet. The report draws attention to how these corporations finance far-right political movements, violate labor laws, exacerbate the climate crisis, and influence media and technology to control narratives.
According to Todd Brogan, the ITUC’s director of campaigns and organizing, “This is about power, who has it, and who sets the agenda.” Brogan stresses that without organized efforts from citizens and workers, corporate entities will continue to dominate political and economic systems globally.
The ITUC’s report is a reminder of how corporate power threatens to erode democracy. As corporations grow larger and accumulate wealth, their influence over political processes becomes undeniable. They engage in lobbying efforts to shift regulations in their favor, make vast donations to political campaigns, and exert undue influence on public discourse through media control. This report names seven corporations as emblematic of this growing trend, but stresses that many more companies are complicit.
The ITUC’s larger agenda, dubbed the “New Social Contract,” calls for corporations to be held accountable under international human rights laws and for stronger regulations to rein in corporate abuse. The report emphasizes that while these corporations continue to profit at the expense of democratic governance, the power to change the system lies in organized labor movements and collective action.
Amazon: Monopoly, union-busting, and far-right funding
Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, tops the list for its monopolistic control over e-commerce and cloud computing, its well-documented anti-union practices, and its tax avoidance across multiple countries. While Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, often promotes liberal views, Amazon’s political contributions have frequently supported right-wing efforts that challenge labor rights and antitrust legislation. The company has responded to labor violations by questioning the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board in the U.S., further demonstrating its antagonism toward organized labor.
Amazon’s influence extends beyond labor issues. Its retail platform has been used by hate groups to raise funds and sell products, and its lobbying efforts have helped promote policies that protect corporate monopolies, driving smaller competitors out of business.
Blackstone: Real estate, fossil fuels, and right-wing politics
Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity firm and private real estate owner, is notorious for its exploitative practices in the housing market, profiting from the 2008 financial crisis by speculating on real estate. CEO Stephen Schwarzman has been a major donor to right-wing political campaigns, including Donald Trump’s re-election efforts.
Blackstone’s portfolio includes extensive investments in fossil fuels and deforestation projects, including destructive activities in the Amazon rainforest. The UN special rapporteur on housing has criticized the firm for undermining housing policies meant to protect low-income communities, further entrenching inequality.
ExxonMobil: A legacy of climate denial
ExxonMobil has long been a key player in climate denial, funding campaigns that cast doubt on the scientific consensus around climate change. The ITUC report highlights that Exxon concealed its internal research showing the reality of global warming for nearly 40 years while financing far-right think tanks in the U.S. and Europe to foster climate skepticism.
Today, ExxonMobil continues to lobby aggressively against environmental regulations, undermining global efforts to combat the climate crisis. Despite widespread recognition of the environmental harm caused by fossil fuel extraction, the company remains committed to expanding its operations, exacerbating climate instability.
Meta: Social media and the amplification of hate
As the largest social media company in the world, Meta (formerly Facebook) wields extraordinary influence over global elections and political discourse. The ITUC report accuses Meta of enabling far-right groups to use its platforms to spread hate and disinformation. In the U.S., Germany, India, and beyond, Meta’s algorithms have been weaponized by right-wing movements to target marginalized communities and recruit new members.
Meta has also resisted regulatory measures in multiple countries, spending vast sums on lobbying efforts to avoid being held accountable for privacy violations and the harmful content disseminated through its platforms.
Tesla and Elon Musk: Anti-union and anti-democratic behavior
Tesla made the list for its strong opposition to unionization, with CEO Elon Musk taking an aggressive stance against organized labor. Musk’s political allegiances also raise concerns, as he has voiced support for figures like Donald Trump and Argentina’s far-right presidential candidate Javier Milei. Additionally, Musk has re-platformed white nationalist and antisemitic accounts on Twitter, now rebranded as X.
Tesla’s role in the global supply chain for electric vehicles has also come under scrutiny for human rights abuses, with reports of exploitative labor conditions in lithium mining operations.
Glencore: Exploitation and environmental harm
Glencore, the largest commodities trader in the world, has been embroiled in multiple corruption scandals, including bribery and market manipulation across several countries. The company has faced allegations of funding right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia and vigilante groups in Peru to suppress environmental and labor protests.
Glencore’s role in global commodity markets has fueled environmental degradation, with its mining operations linked to widespread deforestation and pollution.
Vanguard: Financing anti-democratic corporations
The Vanguard Group, one of the largest institutional investors in the world, rounds out the list. Vanguard is a major shareholder in many of the corporations on ITUC’s list, including ExxonMobil and Amazon. By managing trillions of dollars in workers’ retirement funds, Vanguard uses these assets to support anti-democratic corporate activities.
“This is about power, who has it, and who sets the agenda,” said Todd Brogan. “Unless we’re organized and demanding responsive governments, it’s corporate power that’s going to set the agenda.”
COMMENTS