Can the cartel playbook be used for good? | Sarah Patterson | TEDxCanberra

Key Concepts

• Cartels: Not just criminal organizations, but also a model for how large businesses operate to control markets and influence outcomes.
• Planetary Boundaries: Nine key environmental processes that regulate the stability and resilience of the Earth system. Breaching these boundaries increases the risk of abrupt and irreversible environmental changes.
• Opaque Influence: The subtle and often hidden ways large corporations exert control over information, markets, and policy.
• Banking Land/Resources: Strategically acquiring and holding resources (physical land, digital space, etc.) to limit competition and maintain control.
• Lobbying: Influencing government policy through direct communication with politicians and policymakers.
• Mobilization at Scale: The challenge of coordinating widespread action to address complex global issues.

The Cartel Playbook: Lessons from Big Business for Systemic Change

The speaker opens by illustrating the overwhelming sense of global crisis – climate change, political instability, and the constant barrage of information – experienced in a typical morning. This sets the stage for a central argument: that despite countless plans and strategies, meaningful action remains elusive. The speaker proposes a surprising source of insight: the operational strategies of cartels – not just drug cartels, but also historical and modern business cartels – as a model for achieving large-scale change. The core premise is that if we understand how these entities mobilize and exert influence, we can adapt those tactics for positive impact.

The Scale of Influence: Big Oil & Gas, Big Tech, and Big Groceries

The speaker highlights the immense economic power of large corporations, framing it in stark terms.

• Tech Giants: The combined market capitalization of Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft (~$13 trillion USD) surpasses the GDP of all countries except the US and China.
• Oil & Gas: While still substantial, the top five oil and gas firms are collectively worth only about one-third of the top five tech firms.
• Australian Supermarket Duopoly: Coles and Woolworths control 67% of the Australian grocery market and are among the world’s most profitable supermarkets.

This scale of power allows these entities to exert significant control over various aspects of daily life, often operating “just below the surface” of public awareness.

Controlling the Narrative: Information and Perception

A key tactic employed by cartels, according to the speaker, is control of information.

• Big Tech: Acts as gatekeepers to online information, influencing social media feeds, search results, news, and streaming recommendations. They also track user activity (purchases, searches, highlighted text) to personalize experiences and drive consumption.
• Big Oil & Gas: Have a century-long history of using propaganda and spin to portray their products as essential to modern life, despite their environmental impact (e.g., promoting petrol for Porsches, plastic bags at supermarkets).

This control extends beyond simply disseminating information; it involves leveraging data to influence consumer behavior.

Strategic Resource Control: "Banking" Land & Opportunities

The speaker introduces the concept of “banking” resources – strategically acquiring and holding them to limit competition.

• Supermarkets (Australia): Coles and Woolworths are accused of deliberately holding over 150 undeveloped land parcels vacant to prevent competitors (like Aldi) from establishing stores.
• Big Tech: “Banks” digital land by pre-loading devices with their preferred browsers and apps, making it difficult for users to switch platforms.

This tactic demonstrates a proactive approach to market dominance, extending beyond direct competition to control access to essential resources. The speaker notes this behavior often skirts the line of legality, necessitating a deep understanding of competition regulations. Currently, there are over 250 cases and investigations worldwide against big tech firms. A recent example is the European Commission’s €2.9 billion fine against Google for abusive online advertising practices, though the speaker points out these companies often utilize lengthy appeal processes.

Political Influence: Lobbying and Policy Capture

The speaker emphasizes the significant financial investment made by big oil & gas and big tech in lobbying politicians and policymakers. This lobbying impacts policy decisions, media narratives, and even discussions at global forums concerning the future. The speaker avoids assigning blame, acknowledging the complexity of the situation, but suggests that understanding this influence is crucial.

Reclaiming the Playbook: A Call to Action

The speaker argues that instead of condemning these tactics, we should learn from them and adapt them for positive change. This involves a shift in perspective – viewing cartels not as inherently evil, but as highly effective organizers. The speaker proposes three key strategies:

1. Relationships: Cultivating long-term relationships across diverse networks, including those with differing political views, to build a broad base of support and understanding. This includes understanding the entire supply chain.
2. Opportunity Seeking: Identifying opportunities outside of one’s immediate sphere of influence, similar to how cartels “bank land” in strategic locations. This could involve actively listening to those with different perspectives.
3. Supporting Existing Change Makers: Recognizing and supporting individuals already taking risks to create positive change, providing them with “cover” and resources to amplify their impact.

The speaker concludes with a sense of urgency, emphasizing that we have less than five years to create a sustainable future. The call to action is to mobilize with the same strategic focus and determination as cartels, but for the benefit of all.

Notable Quotes

• “We don’t need another plan, another strategy, another roadmap, another framework. We definitely don’t need any more post-it notes. No, we need action.”
• “It’s time for us to play Robin Hood, to steal what they do and use it for good.”
• “Cartels know this. They look for people in the world who are taking big risks that will benefit them and they give them cover and support so they can take those risks and succeed.”

Technical Terms & Concepts

• Planetary Boundaries: A concept developed by Johan Rockström and colleagues, defining a safe operating space for humanity with respect to the Earth system.
• Lobbying: The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in a government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies.
• Market Capitalization: The total value of a company's outstanding shares of stock.
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product): The total monetary or market value of all final goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.

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