The Re-emergence of Feudal Society

Whatever model of governance becomes most widespread in the first half of the twenty-first century, the role of re-presentation will grow. Re-presentatio is a concept as fundamental to power as it is to the human way of thinking. Hence the constant suspicion that certain modes of independent thought are nothing more than plotting against the authorities: crimen laesae maiestatis. The domain in which independence of thought can be manifested is likely to shrink. This is mainly because power now re-presents itself exclusively through media and technology. And power, as the stronger party, will win the struggle for control of the media. The tendencies already evident towards expanding the means by which prestige is displayed are surprisingly archaic; they resemble the re-emergence of feudal society.