Book Introduces 'Muskism' as a Contemporary Economic and Technological Paradigm

By [Your Name], Staff Writer

In Umberto Boccioni's 1913 sculpture *Unique Forms of Continuity in Space*, an abstract human figure strides forward, its form blending with dynamic bronze planes that evoke speed and motion. The artwork, housed at the Museum of Modern Art, reflects early 20th-century futurism's fascination with technology merging with humanity.

Futurism's proponent, Tommaso Marinetti, envisioned a "mechanical man with replaceable parts." Gino Severini's 1915 painting *Armored Train in Action* depicts soldiers integrated into a mechanized war machine, their forms fragmented amid the rhythm of industrialized conflict. Futurism celebrated rapid technological progress and its social implications, though it also included endorsements of war, which Marinetti described as "the world’s only hygiene."

Historians such as Christopher Clark and Richard J. Evans have drawn parallels between the pre-World War I era—marked by the end of a long period of relative peace in Europe—and contemporary geopolitical shifts. They note similarities in the transition from unipolar dominance to multipolar competition, with rising tensions among major powers and conflicts extending from distant regions to Europe.


On the eve of World War I, Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line, followed by an eight-hour workday paying $5, which enabled workers to purchase the vehicles they produced. This system, known as Fordism, encompassed production methods, economic accumulation strategies, regulatory frameworks, and patterns of social organization.

A new book, *Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed* by historian Quinn Slobodian and technology writer Ben Tarnoff, proposes "Muskism" as a comparable framework for the 21st century. Slobodian, known for his critiques of neoliberal globalization, and Tarnoff, a contributor to left-leaning outlets like Jacobin, argue that Elon Musk exemplifies shifts in technology, production, and state-business relations amid accelerating innovation and global instability. The book, published amid discussions of economic models evolving with AI, space commercialization, and electric vehicles, draws historical analogies to Fordism without endorsing a specific ideological stance. No prominent right-leaning or pro-innovation analyses of the book were identified in major outlets at the time of review.

The authors position Musk as a central figure in these changes, emphasizing his companies' operations over his personal statements. They describe Muskism as a modernizing approach centered on achieving sovereignty through technology, where individuals and governments rely on private infrastructures for self-reliance.

Musk's Industrial Ventures

The book's first section traces Musk's background, from his childhood in South Africa—where he engaged with science fiction like *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* and *Star Trek*—to his early internet startups in Silicon Valley, and later to SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla.

A chapter titled "Sovereignty as a Service" examines Musk's innovations at SpaceX. By 2025, SpaceX conducted 95 percent of U.S. orbital launches and over 50 percent globally, according to industry data. This dominance stems partly from reusable rocket technology, which reduced Falcon 9 launch costs from over $200 million per mission—typical for competitors—to approximately $60-70 million, enabling more frequent and affordable access to space previously dominated by government programs.

SpaceX integrated mid-20th-century vertical corporate structures with agile development methods borrowed from software and "lean production" techniques pioneered by Toyota. While lean methods often led to outsourcing in the neoliberal era, SpaceX pursued in-house manufacturing, positioning it advantageously during global supply-chain disruptions in the 2020s. The authors compare this to France's retention of state-owned nuclear and rail infrastructure, which outperformed privatized systems in Germany and Britain during energy crises.

SpaceX's growth involved public-private partnerships, including lobbying to reform NASA's procurement processes. The company secured contracts with the U.S. military and space agency, becoming a key provider. Slobodian and Tarnoff describe this as "state symbiosis," where private firms deliver essential services, allowing governments to leverage specialized capabilities. They argue Musk's model fuses corporate and state functions rather than replacing one with the other. Recent statements from Musk indicate NASA contracts represent only about 5 percent of SpaceX revenue, with diversification into commercial services.

This approach has sustained SpaceX through potential tech market fluctuations, as its focus on physical infrastructure—rockets, satellites—differs from purely digital ventures.


Tesla and Broader Patterns

Similar dynamics appear in Tesla, which has relied on government incentives for renewables. Tesla navigated the decline of subsidies after the U.S. shale gas boom by optimizing factory locations amid interstate competition. It established gigafactories in Nevada (a right-to-work state), Shanghai, China, and Brandenburg, Germany, effectively treating multiple regions as markets.

In 2024-2025, Tesla held approximately 46-49 percent of the U.S. electric vehicle market share, despite increasing competition from legacy automakers and new entrants. This leadership has accelerated the global transition to EVs, even as some subsidies phased out.

The authors introduce concepts like "financial fabulism," referring to Musk's public projections of future growth to attract investment and support stock valuations. They note Musk's ability to inspire confidence in long-term visions, such as autonomous vehicles and full self-driving technology.

"Fortress futurism" describes products like the Tesla Powerwall home battery, designed for energy independence during grid failures, and the Cybertruck, a rugged electric vehicle. The authors link these to themes of self-reliance in unstable environments, drawing from Musk's South African upbringing during a period of apartheid-era isolationism, nuclear development, and economic autarky—though they do not claim direct causation.

Musk's ventures span tangible sectors (energy, infrastructure, aerospace) and intangible ones (finance, AI, social media). For instance, Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, generated $7.8 billion in revenue in 2024, comprising 58 percent of SpaceX's total revenue, with over half from commercial customers. It has provided connectivity in remote areas and during conflicts, such as aiding Ukraine's military communications since 2022.

The book questions the balance between material achievements and speculative elements, noting market enthusiasm for ventures like a potential SpaceX IPO or xAI merger, which could value the combined entity far above current levels.

From Production to Ideology

The book's second section, "Cyborg," shifts to Musk's engagement with digital culture, including social media activity, meme stocks, and concerns over cultural issues. It covers his acquisition of Twitter (rebranded X), his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, and interests in brain-computer interfaces via Neuralink.

Slobodian and Tarnoff suggest Twitter offered Musk direct access to public discourse and individual opinions, contrasting with the physical demands of Tesla and SpaceX. They portray this as an extension of Muskism's "inverted pyramid": a material base supporting expansive virtual activities.

Musk frequently uses "cyborg" to describe human augmentation, such as Neuralink's implantable devices. Tarnoff has discussed visions of linking brains to X and Grok AI via Starlink, creating global connectivity. The authors argue controlling platforms like X ensures alignment with preferred technological and cultural outcomes.

This reflects broader U.S. investments in information operations, as digital networks integrate with military and commercial spheres. Starlink's role in Ukraine exemplifies dual-use technology, providing civilian broadband while supporting defense needs.

Historical and Political Contexts

The authors frame Muskism within post-neoliberal trends, including deglobalization and state capitalism. SpaceX's reshoring and Tesla's multinational factories illustrate adaptation to fragmented supply chains and protectionist policies.

Futurism's legacy—celebrating speed and machines while embracing conflict—serves as an analogy, though the authors distinguish Musk's focus on commercial sovereignty from Marinetti's militarism. Fordism, by contrast, is presented as a balanced system of production and consumption, despite Henry Ford's own controversial views on labor and society.

Critics of the book, primarily from left-leaning publications like Jacobin and The Guardian, have engaged its concepts without major right-leaning rebuttals identified. Pro-Musk observers often highlight engineering milestones: SpaceX's 300+ successful Falcon 9 launches by 2025, Tesla's 1.8 million U.S. vehicle deliveries in 2024, and Starlink's 4 million subscribers.

Slobodian and Tarnoff's analysis avoids deep psychological profiling, prioritizing Musk's methods as indicative of systemic shifts. They conclude Muskism embodies tensions between heavy industry and digital abstraction, with politics increasingly intertwined via online platforms.

As geopolitical rivalries intensify—echoing pre-1914 dynamics—Musk's infrastructures position his firms at the nexus of commerce, defense, and innovation. Whether Muskism heralds a durable paradigm remains debated, but its components have reshaped access to space, mobility, and connectivity.

The book's release coincides with Musk's expanding influence, including advisory roles in U.S. policy and ventures like xAI challenging OpenAI. Revenue figures underscore viability: SpaceX's projected $15 billion in 2025, driven by Starlink's growth beyond government reliance.

In sum, *Muskism* offers a lens on how private enterprise navigates state partnerships and technological frontiers. Its propositions invite scrutiny from economists, historians, and policymakers tracking the evolution of capitalism in an era of AI, renewables, and space economy.

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