Who Is the Antichrist Today? Slavoj Žižek on Peter Thiel, Tech Power, and Global Control
In this piece, Slavoj Žižek examines Peter Thiel’s use of the figure of the antichrist as a way to attack technology regulation, globalization, and state power. The article argues that Thiel presents fears about apocalyptic threats—such as AI, climate change, and nuclear risk—as tools used by elites to justify control, while also relying on those same fears in his own political worldview. Žižek highlights the tension between Thiel’s libertarian rhetoric and his support for highly centralized, invasive power structures, especially through Palantir and broader Silicon Valley influence.
Thiel’s Antichrist Narrative
Žižek describes how Peter Thiel links the antichrist to efforts to regulate science and technology, portraying concern about existential risks as a pathway to authoritarian global rule. This framing is tied to Thiel’s Christian conservatism and libertarian politics.
Libertarianism and Its Contradictions
The article points out that Thiel’s anti-state arguments do not fully align with libertarian ideals. Žižek notes Thiel’s hostility toward “zombie liberalism,” his anti-communist outlook, and his willingness to praise state power when it suits his political view.
Global Governance, Surveillance, and Money
Žižek identifies Thiel’s main targets as tax treaties, financial surveillance, sanctions systems, the Patriot Act, and international payment networks such as SWIFT. These, in Thiel’s account, make it harder for individuals—especially wealthy ones—to escape global oversight.
Silicon Valley Power and Hypocrisy
The article argues that Thiel’s critique of centralization sits uneasily beside his role in founding and backing powerful tech systems. Žižek presents Palantir and Silicon Valley oligarchy as examples of the same concentration of power that Thiel claims to oppose.
Key takeaways
- Thiel uses the antichrist as a political metaphor against tech regulation and global governance.
- Žižek emphasizes the contradiction between Thiel’s libertarian language and his support for centralized power.
- The article links financial surveillance, sanctions, and the Patriot Act to Thiel’s critique of international control.
- Palantir and Silicon Valley oligarchy are presented as part of the same power structure Thiel warns against.
Summary based on Slavoj Žižek’s Substack post “CONCLUSION: WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST TODAY” (https://slavoj.substack.com/p/conclusion-who-is-the-antichrist), published 2026-03-28. Read the original post on Substack.