Brunella C.@BrunellaCapitan
TECHNOCRACY MOVEMENT 1930s
Elon Musk’s grandfather project Joshua Haldeman.
The Technocracy movement emerged during the Great Depression, promoting the idea that scientists and engineers not politicians should manage society based on data and efficiency rather than market economics or democracy. The movement was particularly influential in North America, especially in the Technocracy Inc. organization led by Howard Scott.
Joshua Haldeman, Elon Musk’s grandfather, was a Canadian chiropractor and political activist who became involved in Technocracy Inc. in the 1930s and 1940s. He served as the leader of the Canadian branch of the movement. However, Technocracy Inc. was eventually banned in Canada during World War II, partly due to concerns that it opposed democracy and might be sympathetic to fascist or authoritarian ideas (though it wasn’t officially linked to either). Haldeman later moved his family to South Africa, where Elon Musk was born in 1971. The Technocracy movement proposed replacing traditional political and economic systems with a scientifically managed society. Their plan was to create a “Technate”, a unified North American system governed by engineers and technical experts rather than politicians.
The Technate would include Canada, the U.S., Mexico (partially), Greenland, and some Caribbean islands.
It ignored traditional national borders, focusing instead on geographic and resource-based efficiency. Instead of elected politicians, society would be run by technical experts who would manage resources, infrastructure, and production. Decision-making would be based on scientific analysis and energy accounting, not money or political ideology. Energy-Based Economy (Not Money-Based)
Instead of using money, the Technate would operate on an energy-based accounting system. Every citizen would receive “Energy Certificates” (like credits) that represented their share of the total available energy/resources. These certificates would regulate consumption to ensure equitable distribution and prevent overproduction or waste. Elimination of Market Capitalism Traditional economic systems (capitalism, communism, socialism) were seen as outdated and inefficient. Instead of competition and profit motives, all production and distribution would be centrally planned for maximum efficiency.
Automation and Standardized Living The movement envisioned widespread automation reducing the need for human labor. Work hours would be drastically reduced (some proposals suggested a 16-hour work week). Goods and services would be standardized for efficiency fewer product variations, but universally high-quality goods. Why Did the Technate Include Greenland?
Greenland’s resources, strategic location, and geographic position made it a logical inclusion. The Technocrats aimed to manage the continent as a single, integrated system based on energy and resources rather than political boundaries.
Why Did Technocracy Fail in the ‘30?
- World War II shifted priorities. The movement lost momentum as the war fueled economic recovery.
- Criticism of anti-democratic ideas – Many saw Technocracy as too authoritarian or utopian to be practical.
- Economic recovery in the 1940s – The Great Depression made Technocracy seem appealing, but as economies improved, support declined.
- Internal disorganization – Technocracy Inc. never gained widespread political traction.
Technocracy’s Legacy
Some of its ideas, like automation, AI-driven governance, and energy-based economies, have re-emerged in modern discussions. Elon Musk’s grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, was a major Technocracy advocate in Canada, which is sometimes cited as a loose ideological link between Musk and technocratic thinking. The concept of using scientific data and automation to optimize governance still influences some modern technocratic policies in countries like Singapore and China.