"systems and institutions that have taken on lives of their own and serve no one’s interests". This is closer to the Marx view of capitalism than some sort of

"systems and institutions that have taken on lives of their own and serve no one’s interests". This is closer to the Marx view of capitalism than some sort of vulgar theory about a conspiracy of the ruling class against the workers. In fact, Marx was very much influenced by Feuerbach analysis of religion/god. An entity is created by humanity (god/capital) but then takes life on his own and controls the actions of his human creator, who forgot is the creator (is alienated). The ruling class is also shaped by this very "vampire" as Marx called it.