Apple's 97% Shareholder Rejection of Anti-DEI Proposal Challenges Yarvin's Governance View

CUPERTINO, CA – Apple Inc.'s recent corporate actions and continued financial success in 2025 are presenting a compelling counter-narrative to Curtis Yarvin's controversial theories on governance, particularly his advocacy for a "CEO-monarch" model. This observation gained traction following a social media post by user "bayes," who stated, "> 2025 apple is a fairly strong case against the yarvin view on governance."

A significant development reinforcing this perspective occurred in February 2025, when Apple shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal aimed at dismantling the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Over 97% of voting shareholders opposed the motion, which was put forth by the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research. Apple's management had advised against the proposal, asserting its right to manage business operations and strategies. CEO Tim Cook emphasized the company's commitment to "a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate and create something magical for our users." This strong endorsement of inclusive practices by a major corporation's broad shareholder base stands in stark contrast to Yarvin's vision of governance devoid of such societal considerations.

Yarvin, a prominent figure in the "Dark Enlightenment" movement, champions "neocameralism," a system where states operate like corporations under an autocratic CEO. His theory posits that liberal democracies are inherently inefficient and unstable, advocating for a "hard reset" that includes dissolving institutions like academia and mainstream media, which he collectively terms "the Cathedral." He argues for unchecked authority to prioritize efficiency and profit.

However, Apple's continued robust financial performance in 2025 further challenges this premise. The company reported strong second and third-quarter results, including record revenues and earnings per share, alongside a new all-time high for its installed base of active devices. This sustained commercial prosperity demonstrates that a leading global entity can thrive and innovate within the existing democratic and capitalist framework, without resorting to authoritarian restructuring.

Furthermore, Apple's substantial commitment to the United States, detailed in an August 2025 announcement, highlights its engagement with national economic goals. The tech giant increased its U.S. investment commitment to $600 billion over four years and launched its American Manufacturing Program (AMP). This initiative aims to bring more of Apple's supply chain and advanced manufacturing back to the U.S., supporting over 450,000 jobs and planning to hire an additional 20,000 people domestically. Such collaborative efforts with a democratic government, aimed at job creation and economic development, directly contradict Yarvin's call for a dismantling of the administrative state and a purely corporate-driven, isolated governance model.