Our story begins with a TV show called Servant of the People, in which a high school teacher suddenly becomes the President of the Ukraine after a viral video captures the heart of the public. However, this fiction soon became reality in 2019, when the leading comedy actor of the hit TV series, Volodymyr Zelensky was unexpectedly elected the President of the Ukraine, winning over all the incumbents, with help and support from the media tycoon billionaire Igor Kolomoisky.

“The U.S. are forcing us to be at war, and not even giving us money for it...if you get smart with us, we’ll go to Russia. Russian tanks will be stationed near Krakow and Warsaw and your NATO will be soiling its pants and buying Pampers.” Igor Kolomoisky

The media tycoon and billionaire Mr. Kolomoisky may be adept at playing the US against Russia in order to extort money to fuel a new WWIII and with members of the Biden family under active investigation, for its financial ties to the Ukraine, President Biden has been all too happy to oblige to support the comedian President and his billionaire financier, who have begun to violate the Minsk Protocol Agreements of a cease fire and have rejected President Putin’s calls of a peace agreement.

As a bit of background, Mr. Kolomoisky’s support of the former comedian as Ukrainian President was most likely inspired by former President Trump’s rise to power in the United States, as a television personality and outsider to politics who suddenly gained traction and power in 2016. It is probable that Mr. Kolomoisky attempted to re-create this scenario into a show for Ukrainian audiences on his network, and by using a personable, likable comedian to eventually oust the old political incumbents.

After the inauguration ceremony, Ukrainian President Zelensky consolidated power by dissolving Parliament on May 20, 2019. Photo by AFP

Since rising to power, the billionaire tycoon and the newly elected Ukrainian President Zelensky quickly consolidated power by dissolving Parliament, and appear to have been actively launching their own agenda to actively woo the Biden administration for promotion of war against Russia in order to fastrack Ukraine’s membership to join the European Union and NATO.

This wouldn’t be the first time an actor became a President (eg, President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s funded by the fossil fuel industry billionaires), after all, the line between entertainment and politics is often blurred. However, as likable as Mr. Zelensky is in his comedic roles, the current situation presents a clear and present danger to the future of NATO, the United States and the European Union.

NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) comprised of 30 North American and European countries has been an intergovernmental military alliance of collective defence. Initially formed to deter communism, in recent years, NATO has been primarily active in the fossil fuel wars that have defined much of our generation.

In recent decades, NATO has been under fire for its actions in the Iraq War, Afghanistan War and its destabilisation of Libya in which horrific images of the assassinated Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi surfaced on the internet, sent shockwaves around the world, and which began a domino effect in which other nations, such as China, began building up their own military to counter NATO’s unchecked power. The public perception of NATO is that it is no longer seen as the “liberator of global freedom”, but of a militant force engaged in a perpetual war state without any oversight and compunction. Hence why as of late, NATO has not only faced more doubt and criticism from its European allies, but also through strong public sentiment and calls for its disbanding.

There is no doubt that NATO is going through an existential crisis, with many member nations in disagreement about its future. Its funding is also clearly skewed, with the United States taking the brunt of the funding along with the UK, Greece, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria, whilst other member nations have contributed far less such as Germany, Canada, Spain and Italy.

The Marvel series Avengers may be based on NATO as the two organisations share many parallels including a divided faction on its future trajectory.

However, what is clear is that NATO’s leadership has been lacking guidance, with some members acting without consulting its allies (eg, Turkey’s recent offensive launch in Syria), and has even been referred to as “brain dead” due to members' lack of foreign policy strategy and also of its overt gender discrimination against women.

NATO currently is a house divided, and in dire need of a restructuring and a Board of Ethics in order to comply with their Code of Good Conduct as delineated in its articles. To maintain its anchor in uncertain times, NATO must also reconsider its perception of the Russian Federation, with its own formidable military, not as an adversary but potentially one of its own members which could help shape its future security. Russia’s membership into NATO could strengthen NATO’s global alliances, build confidence in the EU along with becoming one of its major investors, therefore easing US’s funding requirements in addition to another key strategy: deterring both the EU and China from building up their own military presence which could lead into decades of a new Cold War.

China’s history reveals that it is one of the one most innovative civilisations in the world, comparable to Ancient Egypt, in its proliferation of technology, art, materials, and infrastructure. However, its new ambition to focus on the building of a military comparable to the US would most inevitably launch a new Cold War Era that could span many decades into the future. With Russia’s membership into NATO, it would most certainly transform NATO towards the future, realign its global strategy away from the perpetual war state and implement global stability in a way to mitigate China from becoming the new military force in the world.

HOW VLADIMIR PUTIN AND ELON MUSK COULD ALIGN THEIR INTERESTS TO PREVENT WORLD WAR III AND LAUNCH A NEW WORLD ORDER

At first glance, the two men seem to make an unlikely pair, after all what have they got in common? But upon closer analysis, the two men appear to share a similar philosophy of the world.

The American public have likened Elon Musk as Iron Man whilst Vladimir Putin has been depicted as Hercules.

It is without doubt that international cooperation is necessary for rapid advances in technology because ultimately an open framework of collaborating researchers always fuels the most innovation.

Despite Russia’s reputation as being technologically closed to the international community, Russia is not a stranger to imported technology: Samsung monitors, Apple iPhones and other devices produced by companies outside of its nation are readily available for public consumption. However, the fact of the matter is that in the contemporary world, all technology is built to spy and monitor the population, from robots to mobile devices to TV monitors and even printers and internet routers.

China has been actively wooing foreign scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs in their 1000 Talent Initiative to give legitimacy to their projects. Opening Russia’s borders to international talent and actively engaging in international collaboration could launch it as the new Eurasian tech capital of the world.

Recently, the Russian government has been considering fining Russians for potentially using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet despite the fact that Starlink offers an opportunity to connect Russia’s vast 11 time zones in remote areas such as in Oymyakon and rural localities where people may not have access to the internet. In addition, satellites communicate with gateway terminal ground stations which must be geographically located in Russia, hence subject to the government for communications monitoring, therefore not being able to bypass Russian monitoring of online activities.

A collaboration between Starlink and Russia’s Sphere programme could be an exciting opportunity for Russian scientists and researchers to work together with the private sector, through SpaceX. Currently, Sphere needs $20 billion in funding and is set to launch in 2025. This is an extraordinary funding amount for Russia, whose GDP is $1.7 trillion and whose scientists only receive an average pay of $250 per month. The Sphere project could potentially bypass this funding criteria by utilising Starlink satellites which have already been deployed; 1000 Starlink satellites have already launched and there are plans to deploy a total of 42,000. Through international cooperation and the sharing of data, Starlink could also be utilised in other areas of Eurasia, such as the Ukraine. It is to the benefit of Russia to be one of the first to integrate satellite internet in order to shape its future development.

The Glorification of the Eucharist by Ventura Salimbeni (c. 1600) at the Church of St. Peter in Italy depicts the Holy Trinity bridged together by a Sputnik like satellite.

A SpaceX x Sphere collaborative research centre in Russia’s Siberian region of Akademgorodok could potentially launch the Eurasian tech capital of the world by attracting talent from many different countries during a time when Russia has had trouble accessing international financing of its space programmes through imposed sanctions.

Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok located in Siberia is the scientific center of Russia and is ideally situated to become the tech capital of Eurasia, bridging together the East and West.

Despite its innovative past achievements, one of the problematic features of the Russian space programme has been said by critics that “for experts in the Russian space community, Russia has no longer the means to streamline a sector that is now in survival mode. Without major commercial and scientific achievements, it is difficult to remain at the forefront of space technology and industry on the one hand, and to compete with other powers on the other.” One of the key reasons why this may be so is that the private sector has bypassed national space agencies in development. Companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have amassed funding that dwarfs the world’s national space agencies. Startups in Asia, mainly in China and India have gained traction in recent years and are contended to become the top innovators in space exploration and research. It is also difficult to attract talent from all around the world when the salary of a position is significantly lower than that at private corporations, which has consequently isolated Russia from technological innovation in recent years.

For Russia, a collaboration with SpaceX could regain Russia’s standing in the world as a leading nation in space research and exploration, just as when Yuri Gagarin’s flight in April 1961 gained international recognition and captured the hopes of the Russian people.

People have been fleeing Silicon Valley for greener pastures. Could the next tech capital of the world be in Akademgorodok? A high standard of living, competitive salary and multiple benefits of living in Akademgorodok could potentially attract talented scientists and researchers around the world to move to Siberia. Photo by MCCAIG, Getty Images

Russia connects Europe with Asia - the ideal location as the tech capital of the world, bridging together and integrating many different cultures. Russia also has an astounding 190 different ethnic populations within its geography. While Vladimir Putin has promoted preservation of its diverse ethnic populations, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been criticised to have done the exact opposite - wiping out Uighur Muslims from the population, not rectifying the invasion of Tibet and insisting Taiwan is part of its territory, despite the latter’s declaration of independence. China appears to have an unspoken mandate of transforming all of contemporary Asia into “Han Chinese exceptionalism”, instead of preserving the ethnic diversity of the Asian continent, making its neighbours nervous and seeking protection from NATO.

An international cooperation and exploration of space is the key to preserving future peace, and presents an opportunity for Vladimir Putin and Elon Musk to come together and finally put an end to the lingering Cold War sentiment of a past era and to bridge the divide between the United States and the Russian Federation.

CHINA’S ULTIMATE WEAKNESS: THE RISE OF HAN CHINESE NATIONALISM

There is no doubt that China is a superpower to be reckoned with. President Xi Jinping has become an iconic figure who has lifted China out of poverty into a new era of becoming the future energy distributor of the world whilst focused on revitalising a new trade route that would resurrect the Ancient Silk Road. However, China ultimately suffers from a weakness in that its long history of “landgrab”, oppression of human rights activists, censorship of its own citizens and invasion of other nations have made its neighbours suspicious and unlikely to gain European supporters of its infrastructure projects.

Although the United States might have made similar missteps in foreign policy, including the genocide of Native Americans at the onset of its history and its numerous wars in the Middle East, the biggest critics of the US have always been its own citizens, Americans who are working to build a fairer, more inclusive society and to keep their politicians in check.

China has had a long history of imposing “Han Chinese” nationalism to surrounding nations, such as Korea. Asia is an ethnically rich continent with many variations of cultures and languages that may have evolved from migrating people from Ancient Egypt. "Han Chinese nationalism" has its roots from the Han Dynasty which dates back to 206 BC and also the Han Chinese overthrow of the Qing dynasty China (1644-1912) in which Manchu scholars proliferated. Manchu people and other ethnic groups were driven out of China during the Communist Era. China still continues the practice of "Han Chinese" nationalism by repression of the Uighur Muslims and other ethnic groups.

Japan, India, South Korea et al have made alliances with its most prolific trading partner, China, whilst paradoxically also seeking the US for protection against China’s growing military presence.
President Xi Jinping can rectify this negative perception of a “globalist, militaristic China” by recognising Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong as independent and autonomous nations, in addition to coming to an amicable agreement on the multiple disputed territories within the Asian continent. A rebranding of China as the epicenter of ethnic and cultural diversity as it had been during the Ancient Silk Road Era could further its One Road One Belt Initiative without diverting their investments into the development of a formidable military power.

Russian ethnic people include the Yakuts, Tatars, Mansis, Moldovans, Volgas, Balkars, Avars, Tuvans and many others. Russia is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse nations on the planet with 190 ethnic groups who speak more than 100 different languages.

The Russian Federation has one of the most ethnically diverse populations on the planet, all with each own ethnic identity, culture and language. President Putin recently addressed his ministers in a video call on interethnic relations that it was imperative that they must preserve and protect the ethnoculture and linguistic diversity of all members of the Russian Federation.

NATO’S GROWING PAINS

Captain America, the First Avenger. Photo by Paramount Pictures/ Marvel Entertainment

Despite that this may be a transformative era for NATO, in which deep divisions exist on its future trajectory, NATO has also been a stabilising force in the world, bringing down the Berlin Wall and accelerating the decolonisation of Africa and Asia from a long history of imperialism. However, in recent decades, NATO has also been subject to numerous criticisms of its foreign interventions in the Middle East which have been characterised as wanton war profiteering if not entirely inhumane. It is ultimately time for NATO to realise that its ambitions upon the world stage cannot maintain a perpetual war state nor exist without Russia.

For a future NATO to prevail, it must integrate Russia into its alliance; Russia can no longer be considered an adversary but one that can enhance stronger security within the world. NATO’s actions in recent decades have degraded trust of its European allies, in addition to igniting China’s own military ambitions.

The Ukraine has been under the auspices and control of a comedian President and media tycoon who wish to pit the US against Russia, in order to access a fast-tracked membership into the European Union and NATO by exploiting the US’ rivalry with Russia’s Nordstream II project which would provide gas directly to Germany and the rest of Europe, bypassing the Ukraine.

It is up to the individual members within NATO’s factions to prevent this paradigm leading to more unnecessary conflict. Another foreign conflict resurrecting the old Cold War mentality would surely further damage NATO’s reputation and could lead into the final days of its dissolution. The Biden Administration and the leaders of the European Union must ask themselves, is the subversion of Russia’s Nordstream II worth launching another World War?


By Sierra Choi

There are many studies of personality theory, but one of the most well-known is the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI). The MBTI categorises people based on 4 leading traits: 1. Introversion vs. Extroversion 2) Intuitive vs. Sense-oriented 3) Thinking vs. Feeling 4) Perceiving vs. Judging

Although the multi-variegated factors for personality development are complex and some components may be biological whilst other influences may be due to particular upbringing, education and cultural norms, personality analysis has been used over many decades in order to predict patterns within diverse groups of people. The psychological profiling of world leaders is not new and one that has been studied over time in order to determine a nation’s foreign policy. Here I examine some of the most fascinating personality types in global leadership of our era.

President Xi Jinping is known to be soft-spoken, polite and favours wearing comfortable clothes, such as his signature windbreaker. INTPs tend to be internally focused and not overly concerned with outward appearances. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

INTPs (Introvert-Intuitive-Thinker-Perceiver) are immensely polite, well-mannered thinkers who don’t like to impose on others and may find it hard to speak up for themselves in group situations in which they disagree with prevailing popular opinion.

INTPs may also have rich inner lives, in which they might entertain abstract concepts and may find comfort in visual and artistic media in which they can express their thoughts and feelings through poetry and literature. Despite being able to analyse complex political situations with relative ease, and are often liked by their colleagues, they may be sensitive towards criticism, especially if it is presented in an undiplomatic manner or in a satirical or mocking way. INTPs can also become stubborn and dictatorial when under extensive stress, and may begin to become argumentative and unreasonable when they are unable to express their need for care and attention.

INTPs are naturally aligned with ENFJs, who are skilled in reading the emotions of people, and may offer words of comfort to bring the INTP out of their introspective shells, but still share similarities in observance of social norms and being careful not to offend others. INTPs are also careful not to share their true opinions with others until they get to know them well and have a pervasive, indirect style of communication in which they do not directly say what they mean, but may give hints as to what they are referring to.

INTPs are also detail oriented and may come up with specific solutions to a problem set in which other types who are big picture thinkers, might find tedious (such as ENTJs and INFPs). Being able to focus on actionable steps makes them ideal partners with ENTJs in which the ENTJs can champion their causes, and INTPs feel more at ease to let others defend and carry out their vision.
Aside from being highly intelligent and analytical, INTPs are also non-confrontational types in which they will often delay in negotiation instead of resolving the issue straight away. They would rather wait patiently to think things thoroughly on an issue rather than making a decision straight away, which might make them seem slow to act. During this time, their minds may be percolating with different scenarios and examining all possible outcomes of a particular decision. However, one area of caution for INTPs is that they can sometimes be prone towards becoming people-pleasers and may end up agreeing with a situation, especially if their peers demand it of them, in order to build consensus, instead of speaking up for themselves if they have differing opinions.

President Bashar al-Assad, a trained doctor, may not have been interested in entering a life of politics, but as the eldest son of his father, dutifully took on the responsibility of overlooking his legacy after his father's death. Soft-spoken and immeasurably polite, President al-Assad may be more interested in the development of green energy for Syria, however may feel pressurised to continue to defend its fossil fuel reserves out of loyalty to his allies. Photo by Getty Images

Despite that INTPs generally tend to be peaceful people and more geared towards aesthetic and scientific pursuits, being surrounded by military men who would like to enhance their military ambitions may affect them to the degree that INTPs may simply go along with it, despite having personal reservations about building an army. INTPs may also internally strongly support the causes of disenfranchised people, but may not speak up due to popular prevailing opinion. INTPs may also feel they have no choice in matters in which they are given responsiblity and may go along with something out of a sense of duty, despite that they wish to do things differently. In this way, INTPs may benefit more from having a diverse group of advisers that also include writers, teachers, artists, scientists and human rights activists in order to enhance their world view and help them fine-tune understanding of their goals through the macro lens of seeing from the big-picture instead of focusing only on the details or working to please others.

INTPs may also be sensitive to criticism, and may view it as a personal attack on their abilities, but should be cautious of acting with indignation and attempting to censor those with differing opinions, even if presented in an undiplomatic or satirical way. Often, criticism serves to give a broader understanding of prevailing trends and opinions, and can become opportunities for growth.

INTPs may also find those with off-colour humour offensive and disrespectful, and may clash with ESTPs and ENTPs in this regard, who have a tendency to be devil’s advocate and entertain many contradictory positions and have an aggressive style of argument that likes to “roast” or poke fun at their opponent. It is much to the advantage of INTPs not to take these words as personal attacks, but rather as a type of entertainment, and instead focus on their actions or come up with clever ways to utilise their own wit to win over their opponent.

INTPs under extreme stress may also indulge in excessive food and drink to cope with their problems and may fall into unhealthy behaviours. Therefore, it is important for INTPs to develop a consistent exercise and fitness schedule and take an hour each day to regularly go out and engage in cardiovascular activity such as biking, walking or jogging whilst listening to a podcast in order to counter negative habits they may develop.

INTPs also may have a high tendency towards alcoholism. It is important for INTPs to drink moderately and to refrain from the consumption of hard liquors, such as whiskey, soju or vodka. Instead, they may opt for lighter, refreshing beverages such as champagne or organic wines. INTPs may also find supplements such as Vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex beneficial, as those are the nutrients most depleted in those INTPs who may suffer from alcoholism or regularly consume alcohol. INTPs should also take care to drink lots of clean, spring water during the day to prevent dehydration.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, commuting by bicycle in his suit. Mr. Johnson is known for his eccentricity and affability. ENTPs are also known for their charm and humour. Photo by Getty Images

ENTPs (Extrovert-Intuitive-Thinker-Perceiver) embody the motto: “Think Different”. They tend to be rules-breakers, not hindered by controversy, are Devil’s Advocates in debate in which they can easily defend a contrary position in addition to their own, and readily think outside the box. ENTPs tend to be sparkling conversationalists and are often full of humour, good will and clever insults using their wit to disarm and charm their opponents.

Two things that ENTPs may dislike are routine and tradition. They may often find themselves bored and longing to go on an adventure. ENTPs prefer spontaneity in their speech and dislike having to read from the teleprompter. They prefer lively debates and might often find themselves veering off-script to do something rather unexpected in which may win the adoration of the public, but which their colleagues might view as inappropriate or unnecessary. However, ENTPs may often come up with convincing reasons why they did something they shouldn’t have just so that it often confuses others.

President Kim Jong Un (far left) with basketball icon Dennis Rodman (far right), the two share an easy friendship. President Kim Jong Un may want to break with tradition and adopt Western philosophy into his nation. According to his friend Dennis Rodman, Kim Jong Un is a fan of American culture. ENTPs often want to conduct things differently than their predecessors, resistant to tradition, and prefer open-ended, ongoing dialogue. Photo by Reuters

Despite their many charms, one of the weaknesses of ENTPs is that they may have a hard time sticking to a plan or action or abiding by a contract. ENTPs may also constantly change their minds to the degree that others may become frustrated with them and view them as unreliable. Hence why it is to the ENTP’s advantage to stick with something despite that they may be wanting to suddenly explore other options at the 11th hour.

In negotiation, ENTPs are sometimes more responsive to a competitive strategy or giving them a hard option. They may go back and forth many times, often changing their minds at the last minute, but when ENTPs realise their opponents are not budging, they may suddenly take on a different tune and act in compromising and conciliatory ways. ENTPs may also delay in answering for as long as possible and may avoid having to answer, similar to INTPs, so it is best to set both a soft and hard deadline with ENTPs in order to manage expectations. To appear more reliable and trustworthy, it may also be to the ENTP’s benefit to take a step-by-step approach and not write contracts on general terms, but in specific, actionable terms set by timeline that they can abide by so that they can build trust and confidence with others.

Mr. Kim Jong Un found natural affinity with former President Donald Trump. Negotiation with ENTPs may be the most effective when set by specific items by timeline that can continually be updated and added upon and not set in general terms. ENTPs prefer open-ended dialogue and may waver when having to making a final commitment to a plan of action.

ENTPs may also prefer to use humour to alleviate differences and build repertoire with others. They are people who enjoy the many pleasures in life, and like to get to know people on an authentic level and quick to reconcile and discuss potential solutions. As ENTPs feel more comfortable in ambiguity, they have a tendency to feel trapped when all things are settled with absolute certainty, and they may view negotiations and contracts as an ongoing, lifelong progress that can be amended over time. In this regard, a collaborative or compromising style of negotiation over the long-term might also work the best with ENTPs, especially in regards to the US, as administrations have a tendency to change every 4 years and may be perceived as unreliable, especially if current administrations do not honour previous agreements.

Prime Minister Johnson announced last year that he had lost at least 1 stone (14lbs or 6kg) after his Covid-related hospitalisation and has made an effort to be more conscientious about his health by adopting healthy eating habits. ENTPs could also develop a meal plan with their nutritionists in order to consume more vegetables instead of always opting for high protein foods, such as meats and cheese, which could put them at risk for cardiovascular events. Photo by Ben Cawthra, SIPA USA

ENTPs, similar to INTPs and ESTPs may also indulge in excessive food and drink under extreme stress. However, ENTPs are natural athletes and might find enjoyment in team sports. As an alternative, instead of conducting meetings in closed spaces, ENTPs might consider scheduling daily hour long group meetings in the late afternoon with their colleagues to discuss matters whilst taking walks together or playing team sports, such as football or basketball.

ENTPs may also be prone to addiction to stimulants or amphetamines, such as Adderall, however these may compound or accelerate existing cardiovascular issues, such as problems with the heart and circulation. Therefore it is important for ENTPs to refrain from consuming an excessive amount of stimulants, refrain from taking drugs such as amphetamines or similar ones in their class and might consider supplements such as CoQ10 and Vitamin K2 which have been found to have positive effects on cardiovascular health and also reverse kidney and liver damage.

Chancellor Angela Merkel stands in front of a larger-than-life image of herself. INTJs are known for their keen intelligence, versatility and being the face of calm during crisis situations. Photo by Fabrizio Bensch, Reuters

INTJs (Introvert-Intuitive-Thinker-Judger) aside from being infamous for their icy glare when expressing disapproval are also known for their intelligence, consummate objectivity and calmness during crisis situations. They are direct communicators and will let you know exactly what they think, and if you are in their inner circle, they won’t shy away from confrontation and will let you know exactly what you may be doing wrong. However, despite that their words may often be sharp, to the point and matter-of-fact without any sugar coating, INTJs often do this as an act to be helpful to those closest to them because in their philosophy, “people do not learn from flattery, they learn from their failures.”

INTJs, like ENTJs, do not like to show their emotions, as that is something they reserve as being private to them, however, this does not mean they haven’t got any. In fact, it may very well be that INTJs often have strong passions and emotions which they hide from public view. They may also be prolific writers and may have interests in many other subjects, particularly in science, medicine and education.

Queen Elizabeth II is known as a prolific writer and aside from politics and history, may have strong passions in the sectors of medicine and education.

They are also the type when they make a commitment, they stick to it until the end, whether in their personal relationships or in professional commitments, an INTJ word of honour is absolute and steadfast. However, it may be hard to get them to commit in the first place as INTJs take quite a bit of time in order to get to know someone, slow to make close friends, and level-headed when it comes to making long-term commitments and decisions. They are also not likely to flee at the first sight of trouble; rather, INTJs see obstacles and problems as potential challenges of something to conquer, and not something to fear.

These fearless attitudes are in resilient leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who have weathered many crises with calm and aplomb. INTJs, like INTPs are also not overly concerned with outward appearances and most likely, despise status symbols or outwardly flashy shows of wealth, tend to be modest about their achievements and have a keen financial acumen.

INTJs may find natural affinity with both ENTJs and INFPs, as both the latter types tend to have similar but complementary thinking and analysis styles, but may find conflict with ENFJs who may often find the direct communication style of INTJs hurtful. INTJs, like ENTJs, do not like to express their emotions, which ENFJs may find confusing or find themselves unable to develop a close personal relationship due to the latter’s dominant way of primarily relating to people through sharing of their emotions.

INTJs and ENFJs may have conflicting communication styles. This is because ENFJs primarily like to relate to people using emotions and personal experiences whilst the INTJ likes to keep their emotions private and may distrust overly emotive people.

In this way, INTJs may share a personal anecdote or tale of hardship with the ENFJ in order to break the ice and build a personal relationship with ENFJs during negotiation situations, so as not to appear cold and unfeeling. However, one area where INTJs may have a weakness is their tendency to hold grudges. Despite not outwardly showing emotions, INTJs never forget a slight or unkind word said against them and may still remember those personal attacks for many years afterward. Hence, it is important for INTJs to understand that sometimes people make mistakes, whether or not it was intentional, and to give people the benefit of the doubt and to see from outside their own perspective in order to understand that sometimes people may be thoughtless or unkind due to their own stressful, personal situations and may be a reflection on those people, and not as intentional disrespect to the INTJ.

All in all, INTJs are rare types most often represented in the history of world leaders, due to their sensibility, pragmatic nature and ability to lead during crisis situations. However, INTJs, more than any other type may often suffer from insomnia and inability to sleep at night. They are often known as “night owls”, and coupled with their dislike of physical activity, this may compound their health issues. INTJs might prefer to read a book in their spare time or else, relax by watching a favourite programme or spend their time writing and might find exercise a boring, tedious activity. However, it is important for INTJs to spend at least half an hour a day outside close to nature, and take time to go on a walk early in the mornings in order to reset their circadian rhythm.

Due to their insomnia, INTJs might self-medicate utilising alcoholic drinks or prescription pills to help them sleep or relax. However, it is imperative that INTJs refrain from the use of benzodiazepines, GABA-agonist sleep aids such as Ambien, anti-anxiety medications or any other drugs that could have a negative effect on their memory or brain function. It has been shown that drugs that are GABA-agonists could cause problems with motor control, and are correlated to Parkinson’s disease. Despite that GABA-agonists are also paradoxically used to treat Parkinson’s, these drugs work temporarily to stop tremors, but may accelerate the condition through the inhibition of the substantia nigra in the brain, therefore leading to a collapse of dopamine neuronal cells. Therefore, it is important for INTJs to reset their circadian rhythm and instead focus on physical fitness.

INTJs may also be interested in neuroprotective supplements that support brain and motor functions such as Melatonin, Taurine, and Vitamin K2 which also have a positive effect on controlling blood sugar and may have positive effects on those INTJs who might also suffer from diabetes. Vitamin E has also been studied to modulate GABA and glutamate to prevent excitotoxicity and oxidative stress in the brain and may have a profound effect on many neuronal disorders that involve memory loss, tremors, seizures and fine motor coordination and may be the most significant supplement that can alter the course of neuronal related tremors at the onset for those INTJs who are beginning to show initial symptoms.

Former President Donald Trump. Underneath the tough facade, ESTPs often have a kind and generous disposition who possess a lot of empathy for people. Photo by Yuri Gripas, Reuters

On the surface, ESTPs may appear aggressive or even combative, but underneath the appearance of toughness, make no mistake, ESTPs often have a very soft centre and kind and generous disposition. They may also be secretly sentimental and be moved by beautiful words or artistic ability in which not many people may be able to witness, as they prefer to hide their vulnerabilities from others. ESTPs may also tend to be spontaneous and prefer new challenges as opposed to sitting in an office all day long. They are naturally drawn towards people, and may prefer talking to people in order to solve problems in practical ways that draw upon experience, instead of spending time in extended analysis of a situation.

Unbeknownst to the wider public, Prime Minister Netanyahu most likely sympathises with the plight of animal cruelty, and most likely a vegetarian, something which he may keep hidden in order to portray a persona of strength, which in contemporary society, meat-eating is often associated with masculinity. Underneath the surface of toughness, ESTPs often have a soft core and are moved by the struggle of others and have great empathy for people.

ESTPs may also have a tendency to go off script, and prefer speaking in a natural, conversational style instead of reading from long versions of edited speeches which may be tedious to them. They are visual and sense-oriented tangible thinkers who prefer action over abstract thinking. They are also not afraid to speak their mind, and have a type of off-colour humour, which might appeal to ENTPs, ENTJs and INTJs and share with them an unconcern about offending others, whilst INTPs and ENFJs, who are more sensitive to protocol, may often perceive these actions to be disrespectful or egoistical.

A portrait of Donald Trump by William Quigley. Mr. Trump has been a real estate mogul, television personality, author, investor in many diverse sectors, and the President of the United States. The next evolution of Donald Trump may be as a media mogul with his own network and free speech applications. ESTPs often have many interests and do not like routine and predictability.

Despite that ESTPs have a fondness for people and are innate risk takers, ESTPs must also pay careful attention to long-term strategy and would be best aligned with INTJ architects who can balance their spontaneity with careful strategy to offset their risk-taking proclivities. ESTPs, like INTJs, ENTJs and ENTPs often have an off-colour sense of humour and have a direct speaking style in which they often do not like to sugarcoat words. In the philosophy of ESTPs, it is necessary to be thick-skinned and have an ability to take criticism, and poke fun at oneself and not be easily prone to showing weakness and vulnerability. However, ESTPs are also keen negotiators and have a compromising style of interaction, in which they prefer to engage in win-win scenarios behind the scenes, and will listen to any reasonable offer, although they may show an outward perception of all-or-nothing.

Benjamin Netanyahu served a dessert made in the shape of a shoe to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a visit to Israel. Japanese culture abhors shoes on the surface of tables and consider it as an insult. Mr. Netanyahu might’ve found this humorous, however, the Japanese Prime Minister did not seem amused. ESTPs often have an off-colour humour in which they like to “roast” their friends and opponents in playful jest. More sensitive personalities, such as INTPs and ENFJs may find these actions offensive. Photo from Instagram

Prime Minister Netanyahu faces new challenges regarding foreign relations with the US, and its neighbours, Iran, Palestine and Syria. As a prevailing ideology of multi-lateralism is taking place across Europe and Asia, and through peace treaties proctored by the Trump administration, Israel has reached normal relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and is in a prime position to continue to build positive relations with its neighbours but might face difficulty in his previous goal to extend the borders of Israel into Syria and other territories. Instead, Mr. Netanyahu might achieve more influence and soft power by increasing the presence of Israeli companies into the UAE and Saudi Arabia and focus on the trade of technology, art and research by building research centres instead of building momentum for possible war with Iran and Syria, which Israeli people would not benefit from.

According to Israeli polls, the youth population of Israel would overwhelmingly like peaceful relations with Palestine and Iran, and Mr. Netanyahu could redirect his focus on potential war with Iran and instead pivot towards building collaborative platforms for sustainable living, green energy, vegan food production and art centres with his UAE and Saudi Arabian neighbours.

ESTPs, as with INTPs and ENTPs mentioned above, may also indulge in excessive food and drink under extreme stress. They might consider investment in a treadmill in their offices and conduct telephone meetings for a half hour to an hour each day whilst walking at a leisurely pace on the treadmill or watching their favourite TV programme.

ESTPs, along with INTJs, may also have a fondness for sweets and soft drinks, which may have a negative effect on maintaining blood sugar. They may also find supplements such as Taurine and Vitamin K2 helpful in managing their blood sugar levels and to improve insulin sensitivity for those ESTPs who might suffer from diabetes.

ENTJs (Extrovert-Intuitive-Thinker-Judger) may have a reputation of being authoritarian, but their personalities tend to resemble Supreme Court Justices. They like to examine all sides of a situation, both subjective, anecdotal accounts and objective analyses, then make a decision based on their intuition or gut feeling. However, they often do not factor in their own emotions or moods when making a decision, as ENTJs may also tend to look outside themselves in order to come to a decision and may not trust what they perceive as their fleeting, emotional moods as reliable indicators in decision-making. Hence, ENTJs may often make decisions that are not in their personal best interest, but one in which they perceive for the greater good or the well-being of others.

This is also the reason why ENTJs might also be perceived as having a great deal of self-discipline in regards to their desires (eg, they might crave ice cream for breakfast, but repress the urge and instead drink a healthy smoothie; they might want to go home and have a drink, but instead go to the gym to release their stress etc.). This isn’t to say that ENTJs are all work and no play as they’re probably known for throwing the best parties where they make sure all their closest friends are comfortable and having fun, but for ENTJs a lot of their confidence comes from their ability of making certain others are taken care of, and that they are defending those who have entrusted them with their care.

Vladimir Putin receiving a hug from Bashar al-Assad, who has thanked him for defending Syria. President Putin may have been partially motivated to become involved in the Syrian conflict after witnessing the violent regime changes that had occurred in Libya and Iraq, in which grotesque videos emerged on the internet of the US military inflicting torture on Muammar Gaddafi. President Putin may have entered the conflict to defend his friend and ally, President al-Assad of Syria from facing a similar fate as Mr. Gaddafi. ENTJs are known for their conviction and loyalty and for defending their closest allies. Photo from The Syrian Observer

Although ENTJs may prefer structured environments, they may soon suffer from boredom or become tired of routine. During these times, it is important for ENTJs to take a break and engage in creative activities, such as painting, writing, cooking or taking up musical instruments. ENTJs also prefer to spend time with intellectual people who understand complex concepts and can teach them something new, or else give them emotional support. ENTJs, like ESTPs, may appear tough on the outside, but often have a soft core, and also possess a lot of empathy for people and animals. However, ENTJs typically only show their emotions or their vulnerabilities to their innermost circle and may find people, such as ENFJs, who are easily emotionally expressive to be manipulative and insincere. ENTJs may also be suspicious of superficial compliments despite wanting to be appreciated and acknowledged for their genuine efforts.

ENTJs also dislike the “my-way-or-the-highway” hardline, competing negotiation styles, or those people who portray an exaggerated position of strength, despite being able to play their game well, and may much more prefer collaborative, win-win situations in which they are approached from a position of rationale. In contrast to INTPs and ENTPs who might have an avoidant style of negotiation in which they like to drag out terms and conditions for an extended period of time, ENTJs prefer things to be settled quickly and decisively.

A portrait of Vladimir Putin by former President George W. Bush, who took up painting after he left office. It has been said by Washington D.C. analysts that “Putin only understands strength”, however, this perception may have been derived from Mr. George W. Bush's observations of Mr. Putin in 2007 when Russia was interested in joining NATO. The two men had initially bonded whilst taking a fishing trip together at the Bush holiday residence in Maine. However, after Mr. Putin made derogatory remarks about the beloved Bush family terrier, Barney, Russia was denied membership into NATO. Younger ENTJs may initially have a tendency to show-off and want to be the "best" and "greatest" whilst ISFPs, such as Mr. Bush value humility and kindness. However, contrary to the Washington D.C. analysis, it is more likely that President Putin is more amenable towards a collaborative negotiation style, depicting win-win situations, especially when approached from an angle of rationale. ENTJs are also known to keep their promises and not break confidences, alliances, compromises nor forgo their responsibilities.

One of the weaknesses of ENTJs is that they may have a tendency to show-off at times, which others might find intimidating or off-putting. In addition, ENTJs have a hard time expressing their innermost feelings or revealing their vulnerability to other people, even their oldest friends, who might not be aware of their personal struggles and emotional complexities. However, when in negotiation with feeler types (in particular ENFJs and INFPs) ENTJs could instead share more details about their personal lives, such as what inspired them, a personal struggle they had gone through or discuss how their families or children had an impact on them in order to build a stronger repertoire with them instead of appearing as business-as-usual.

ENTJs also may be torn between idealism and compromising their belief system in order to fit into the pragmatic needs of everyday life. However, they are the most powerful and effective when they stick to their long-term vision and not make any compromises on their integrity.

Kamala Harris has been known to waver between her own beliefs and popular opinion, in regards to such issues as fracking, eliminating private health insurance, police reform, legalising marijuana etc. which have damaged her credibility and led to low support for her initial Presidential bid in 2019. ENTJs are most effective as leaders when they do not vacillate and soldily stick to their beliefs due to their uncanny ability to change popular opinion. Image by Amanda Northrop, Vox

Vacillation in ENTJs might be perceived as a lack of conviction or insincerity amongst voters and may degrade public trust. Kamala Harris may have to challenge the dysfunctional bi-partisian politics of Washington D.C. as a means to carry out her objectives and to be perceived as a capable leader, and not one who is easily persuaded by special interests in order to gain public trust.

ENTJs, like ENTPs, are also natural athletes and may find pleasure in both team sports or solitary sports. They may also release daily stress by exercising and using physical exertion as a way to quiet their minds. President Putin was reported to have learned to ice skate at the age of 60 and still continues to play ice hockey, in addition to many other sports such as judo, hiking, skiing, swimming and horseback riding and continues to challenge himself in physical self-improvement, defying norms for any age. ENTJs may have a tendency to appear perennially youthful and are primarily motivated by knowledge and new challenges and often possess the self-discipline to reach their goals.

Kamala Harris is known to take long walks with her husband in order to discuss ideas. She also spends a lot of time on creative pursuits such as cooking and is a patron of the arts. ENTJs often utilise exercise in order to release stress and need a creative output in order to take time off from the chaotic demands of their lives. Photo by Kamala Harris, Twitter

ENTJs, due to high levels of physical activity, might be the type more than any other, to develop a dependency on painkillers such as opiates after an injury. However, an extended dependence on opiates could lead to cardiovascular issues along with exacerbating mood swings and possible depressive episodes. Therefore, it is important for ENTJs to refrain from using opiates at all, and instead opt for alternative treatments such as acupuncture for injuries and chronic pain. ENTJs might find supplements such as CoQ10, Melatonin and Vitamin C beneficial in removing their dependence on opiates and other drugs for those ENTJs who might suffer from addictive tendencies, and also to support their cardiovascular health.

INFPs (Introvert-Intuitive-Feeler-Perceiver) are forward thinkers who often have a vision to build a better future for their people. They are also witty conversationalists, and utilise their keen intuition to understand complex ideas with relative ease. INFPs are also immensely creative and may have many hidden talents. They also have a tendency to not merely abide by popular consensus, and like ENTJs, they may tend to be unconventional and not afraid to voice their opinions on many controversial matters.

Despite having many passions, INFPs, like INTJs, ENTJs and ESTPs, prefer to keep their emotions and personal struggles private. Instead, they prefer to talk about ideas and may spend many hours in discussion with their favourite intellectual sparring partners to bounce off ideas.

Emmanuel Macron (left) and Vladimir Putin (right) may have complementary skill sets that make them amenable towards the building of mutual goals. INFPs, such as Mr. Macron, may admire the ENTJ’s ability to realise their vision through discipline, strategy, dedication and execution. In addition, ENTJs, such as Mr. Putin, may admire the INFP’s creativity and ability for complex analysis and coming up with innovative and novel solutions to a problem. Photo by AP

Although INFPs may come up with innovative ideas, they may face obstacles when implementing such plans and therefore may surround themselves with people who are able to build actionable items to carry out their vision. Hence why INFPs and ENTJs may find a strong affinity with one another.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came up with a novel solution to confront 400 members of Saudi Arabia’s elite, including Princes, tycoons and ministers for corruption in a money laundering scandal in which he “arrested” and held these members at the luxurious Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh until they agreed to a settlement to return the funds to the government in what was called The Purge of 2017-2019. Photo by Fayez Nureldine, AFP/ Getty Images

President Macron and Prince Mohammed bin Salman also show deep sensitivity towards the plight of women and women’s rights in addition to looking towards future energy solutions. The Crown Prince was able to reverse many religious laws that unfairly targeted women, and allowed them the ability to receive a driver’s license to be able to drive on their own without a chaperone. He was also an investor in SoftBank’s Vision Fund, in which the founder of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son alleged that he was able to procure a $45 billion investment from the Crown Prince in a 45 minute meeting.

Both President Macron and Prince Mohammed bin Salman are creative thinkers who embody design thinking. In design thinking, problems are approached in a non-linear, iterative process that seeks to understand their demographic, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create innovative solutions to prototype and test.

President Macron has also recently invested in energy development with Russia for the first time in 2018. To further France’s recent investment in the Arctic, President Macron could use this bilateral cooperation in order to further research maglev hydroelectric energy and distribute its usage in the Siberian region. Maglev hydroelectricity is the least known in renewable energy but has the potential to produce the most power and more reliably than solar and wind power. A joint research council between Russia, Germany and France in the Arctic to develop maglev hydroelectric power could serve their joint goals in implementing a diversified energy strategy across Siberia and Europe as a means to move away from nuclear power and overdependence on fossil fuels.

Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula may be tinged with nuclear waste, destroying the ecosystem of the area. Toxic waste from proposed nuclear power plants could destroy all of Russia’s beautiful coastlines. A move towards maglev hydroelectric energy and away from nuclear energy development and deployment could prevent further damage. President Macron and Prince Mohammed bin Salman could partner with President Putin in order to abandon nuclear energy and develop and distribute maglev hydroelectric electrity to the Eurasian continent in a tri-lateral alliance. INFPs, such as Mr. Macron and Prince bin Salman, could influence ENTJs, such as Mr. Putin, with their long-term vision of a sustainable future.

INFPs may feel a natural compatibility with ENTJs as well as ENFJs as the latter types complement and support their natural tendency towards creative thinking, whilst INFPs may help ENTJs and ENFJs to seek and understand their long-term vision, away from the minutiae and chatter of everyday life by focusing on what is ultimately important. INFPs and ENTJs also tend to be unconventional types who are not easily intimidated by “mob thinking” and will often go against the grain of popular thought which makes them ideal innovation partners. INFPs are also not easily impressed by status and achievements and will seek authenticity in their relationships and may have a variety of friendships with many people of different social classes, ages and cultures.

INFPs, as their INTP counterparts, may also be more likely to suffer from alcoholism. Therefore, it is to their benefit to refrain from consumption of hard liquors and instead opt for refreshing drinks such as champagne or organic wines. INFPs may also be the type who occasionally likes to experiment with psychoactive drugs. However, they must be careful in not utilising these on a regular basis as an overuse of these recreational drugs may lead to depressive episodes. Instead, INFPs should take time to enjoy the smaller pleasures in life and develop a regular cardiovascular fitness schedule and take up activities such as crossfit or jogging whilst listening to their favourite music.

As with INTPs, INFPs may also find supplements such as Vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex beneficial, as those are the nutrients most depleted in those INFPs who may suffer from alcoholism or regularly consume alcohol. They should also be mindful to drink clean spring water with a slice of lemon in order to stay hydrated during the day.

Best friends. Former President Obama surprised Mr. Biden, who was then Vice-President, with a Medal of Freedom in 2017. ENFJs, such as Mr. Biden offer enduring emotional support to their friends, making them beloved to those closest to them. Photo by AP

ENFJs (Extravert-Intuitive-Feeler-Judger) feel most at ease when they are needed for their help and expertise. ENFJs may also often be the people who will answer late night phone calls from their best friends if they happen to want to discuss personal matters to give them emotional support. They may relate to people through expression of their emotions and value personal relationships over business matters, which they might find tedious to discuss. However, this is in direct contrast to ENTJs, ESTPs, INTJs and INFPs who prefer to keep their emotions private and only reveal their emotions to a trusted circle of people. In that regard, ENFJs may appear to be emotionally manipulative to ENTJs, and to ENFJs, their ENTJ counterparts may appear to be cold and calculating.

President Joe Biden has once said of President Vladimir Putin that when he looked into the latter’s eyes, he had no soul. This could possibly be because ENFJs and ENTJs have a different way of relating to the world. ENFJs tend to understand people through the sharing of emotions, whilst ENTJs prefer to keep their emotions and their personal struggles private. Photo by Kevin Lamarque, Reuters

Despite having strengths in building personal relationships, one of the weaknesses of ENFJs is that because they tend to want to be well-liked, they are prone to over promise without delivering. President Biden would like to be known as the “Uniter” who has healed the United States from the rifts of deep division, however, words alone cannot unite a nation without the follow-through of action.

Currently, half of Americans, over 17 million people believe that President Biden may be an illegitimate President who has become President of the US through voter fraud. President Biden faces immense public discord as many parts of cities, including Washington DC, have become a military police state with the National Guard roaming around near-empty streets. In addition, President Biden also faces bi-partisian politics in Congress and must rise above the petty bickering in order to unite members of Congress.

However, the ensuing situation in Congress gives President Biden an opportunity to showcase his role as “the Uniter” of people. By not supporting the current efforts of Senator Chuck Schumer to impeach former President Trump, and by denouncing bi-partisan politics, he would most likely win favour with Trump voters and potentially win them over to his side with his skills in persuasive empathy.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi often cater to the politics of bi-partisian infighting and stagnation, and their actions have been viewed by many analysts as leading the US further into division. Despite that former President Trump has no chance of being convicted and impeached in the Senate, Mr. Schumer and Mrs. Pelosi continue to waste taxpayer money during the Great Lockdown in order to carry on this charade to further fuel the seeds of division. President Biden has an opportunity to rise above petty bipartisan fighting and winning over his detractors by extending an olive branch to his political rivals and critics.

Extending an olive branch to his political rivals would likely increase President Biden’s popularity amongst the American public, including potentially winning over the voters who may view him as an illegitimate President.

In addition, President Biden could develop bi-partisan committees and appoint those members, such as Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Majorie Taylor Greene, who have been the most critical of him, to head committees such as technology reform and voter integrity in order to build unity in Congress, along with giving confidence to the public, especially amongst President Trump’s defenders, in order to develop an unifying strategy to change public perception of him as an illegitimate President.

Senator Josh Hawley (pictured) and Representative Majorie Taylor Green have a high popularity rating amongst Trump voters. Mr. Hawley is one of the rising stars in the Republican Party. Mr. Hawley (also ENFJ) may also resemble the idealistic, young Mr. Biden when he first became a US Senator at age 29. President Biden can form bi-partisian advisory committees with these young members of Congress, and potentially win over Trump voters who may view him as an illegitimate President, which will most likely raise his popularity and secure his standing as a President who has risen above the petty bi-partisanship that has crippled American politics, to become a uniter of both parties. Photo by Carolina Hildago, St. Louis Public Radio

ENFJs must also be cautious in not making decisions when they are in extended emotional states, such as making snap decisions when sad or angry. One of their strengths is the ENFJ’s ability to easily understand group dynamics, human emotion and fallibility, however under situations of stress, or when they feel personally attacked, they could also become blind to their emotions and make decisions they later regret. Hence, it is important for ENFJs to take time to allow their emotions time for reflection before making decisions that may have deeper, long-term consequences.

What is at imminently at risk is of the United States entering another era of McCarthyism, in which censorship, blacklisting and cancel culture could further fuel the seeds of division. Many states such as Texas are considering secession from the US, which portrays a deeply divided America that is at a critical juncture to internally rupture. President Biden could utilise his charismatic skills in building personal relationships in order to unify Congress and also potentially win over 17 million+ voters who did not vote for him through his magnanimous actions.

ENFJs, more than any other type, may have the highest susceptibility towards substance abuse addiction. As they relate to people mainly through their externalised emotions, they may enjoy the temporary highs of drugs that affect the pleasure centres of the brain, such as opiates and cocaine. It is important for ENFJs to keep up a regular exercise cycle and refrain from taking benzodiazepines, anti-anxiety meds and GABA-agonist sleep aids such as Ambien which may have a negative effect on their memory as the continued usage of these drugs have a high correlation to dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s. Instead, ENFJs might want to consider neuroprotective supplements such as Taurine, Vitamin K2 and Melatonin.

By Sierra Choi

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as medical advice and for educational purposes only. This article also represents the opinions of the author; is speculative in nature and may not necessarily be indicative of the individuals mentioned, nor necessarily reflect the opinions of the organisations the author works with.

Russia has had a colourful history, in which in the last 100 years, it has cycled through imperialism, communism, and now, state capitalism. At each precipice, it was overtaken by revolution and often, violent regime changes. From the assassination of the Romanovs, to the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russia is again, at the centre of a new movement. Vladimir Putin has been in power for the last two decades and has steered his motherland from the destabilisation, disorientation and economic disaster that was representative of the 1990s to the Russia it is today. However, now as the onset of the Great Lockdown continues, President Putin faces new challenges.

The Threat of Ethno-Nationalism in Russia

During times of economic uncertainty, a resurgence in ethno-nationalism could bring social instability to the Russian population. Recently, Alexei Navalny has risen in popularity through his criticisms of the Russian government. Although mainstream media has claimed that comparisons between Alexei Navalny and Adolf Hitler had been an attempted smear campaign by the Russian government, an examination of his personal blog, videos and correspondence with his former colleagues show that these accusations may not entirely be without merit.

Georgian people engaging in a traditional feast. Georgia is known for their rich culture and ancient wine-making traditions. Photo by Georgia Journal. Alexei Navalny has called Georgians "rats" and expressed fervent desire to bomb Georgia with missiles. Mr. Navalny has also compared Muslims to "cockroaches" and has said they needed to be "exterminated from Russia" in his online blog and videos.

Despite that Mr. Navalny serves as an advantageous asset for the US and the UK against the current Russian government in which President Putin has taken an adversarial role in the Syrian Crisis (in which the US and the UK have vested oil and energy interests), propping up an opposition leader who has riled up the Russian public with a distinct ethno-nationalistic rhetoric may prove to be more unfavourable in the long term.

Vladimir Putin (right) with Syrian President Bashar Assad (left). The Biden Administration’s platform agenda for racial equality and plurality seems to be at paradoxical odds with their support of the ethno-nationalistic politics of Alexei Navalny. However, Mr. Navalny appears to play an advantageous role in the Biden Administration’s interests in control of Syrian oil and energy resources and as a gateway to Iran by bringing social instability to Russia during a time in which Vladimir Putin is staunchly aligned with defending the Syrian President Assad from US and UK interests. Photo by Alexey Druzhinyn, European Pressphoto Agency.

Past US govts propped up leaders such as Saddam Hussein, who was also initially shown to have strong ethno-nationalistic tendencies, only to be later engaged in wars that brought on violent regime changes that have damaged US and UK credibility in foreign policy. The US was also responsible for bringing instability to Iran by overthrowing their democratic government and instead, replaced it with an extremist religious govt led by the Shah in the 1950s. The current Biden Administration must be attentive not to make the same mistake in Russia as it did in Iraq and Iran. Mr. Navalny may potentially become another Hussein (if not a possible future charismatic Hitler) in the making for US and UK governments as his strong ethno-nationalistic viewpoints may prove to be a future hinderance for NATO and our Saudi Arabian and UAE allies.

Although Alexei Navalny has made valid and important criticisms of the oligarchial structure of the current Russian government, his rising popularity may align with Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s, whose criticism of the corruption within the central banking system utilised similar ethno-nationalistic rhetoric which found popular support that led to the second World War. Alexei Navalny has similarly riled up the Russian population with ethno-nationalistic fervor and has attended and organised protests and marches that included the slogan: "Russia for Russians, Europe for the Whites". Photo by Grigory Dukor, Reuters and wikipedia commons.

In comparison, President Putin has held a more meditated and pragmatic approach in embracing pluralism in his nation, to allow for the migration of different people, in addition to the philosophy of tolerance in regards to various religions and ethnic people, Mr. Navalny appears to hold the direct opposite perspective (“Russia for the Russians, Europe for the Whites”), despite his rising popularity in his anti-corruption agenda against the Kremlin.

President Putin has also shown in the past of his willingness to join NATO and building closer ties with the EU. Under a potential Navalny government, the US and UK could develop more adversarial relationships with Russia under a potential regime that promises to “expel migrants and strengthen and possibly expand” Russia’s borders.

How Brexit Serves as a New Opportunity for Russia

With Brexit underway, the European Union is now facing a new kind of crisis, with many rumours circulating of its dissolution. Chancellor Angela Merkel is faced with a dual problem: of securing the EU for future generations, whilst dealing with the US-Russia adversarial relationship in regards to control of energy resources in which Germany has become a reluctant mediator. The exit of the UK from the EU has left a gaping hole in fiscal policy, with only Germany left to prop up the rest of the EU whilst euroscepticism is on the rise in nations such as France and Italy, where rising politicians such as Marine Le Pen and Matteo Salvini are advocating for exit from the EU. Chancellor Merkel is stepping down at a particularly precarious time in the EU, and although it is not yet known who will become her successor, Russia could potentially fill in the void in leadership to secure the future of the EU.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin. Mrs. Merkel is stepping down from leadership at a precarious time for the EU when euroscepticism is on the rise in nations such as Italy and France. Russia's entry in the EU may solve many of EU's pressing problems and secure its future.
Brexit may potentially become a renewed opportunity for Russia to join the EU and take a joint leadership role in shaping Europe’s future policies.

Russia's entry in the European Union would serve the following advantages:

• A diversified energy distribution amongst European nations
• Russia’s role as the Eurasian epicenter that unites greater Europe with China
• Trade policy in which Europe would have access to Russia’s natural resources
• Russia’s vast geography that spans 11 times zones could become new centres of research and production for greater Europe with an open immigration policy
• A potential buffer against the war profiteering mentality currently heralded by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has openly called for more military action in Syria and other nations, which could possibly unleash more refugees into Europe and destabilising the Middle East regions.
• The expansion of Russia and Germany’s strategic partnership. Russia has supported German reunification in 1990 and henceforth, Germany financially invested in Russia to develop into a democracy and market economy. This strategic partnership could now move to the next level to include the development of stakeholder capitalism, green energy, sustainable manufacturing and combating climate change.
• Europe’s decreased dependence on NATO to counter Russia and possibly, a restructuring of NATO altogether

The European Union was initially launched as a way to hinder the nationalistic tendencies that led to the first two World Wars, the kind of ethno-nationalism that became standard features of fascist regimes such as Mussolini’s Italy, Stalin’s Russia and Hitler’s Germany; however, the EU is facing a new crisis of its possible dissolution, and a forging of new relations with Russia may prove to be a strengthening move.
Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the Russian Federation has evolved into a new kind of global power after the fall of the Iron Curtain, however it is currently under extended duress from both US sanctions and the economic slowdown from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia spans across 11 time zones and is a gateway between Europe and China. Image by Alexander Kislov and Natalya Nosova.

Russia’s entry in the European Union could potentially serve as a new gateway for European and Asian relations, in addition to opening up a geography that spans across 11 time zones, to develop multinational solutions in energy, research and infrastructure projects.

How Vladimir Putin Can Win Over His Detractors

Despite his strong ethno-nationalistic rhetoric, Alexei Navalny’s popular criticism of the Kremlin comes at an opportune time, in regards to its oligarchical structure in which privatisation of national companies in the 1990s have created a distinct class hierarchy in which the Russian people have found no remedy.

After the fall of the Iron Curtain, in the chaotic aftermath when Russia was transformed under neoliberalism, it opened its economy to a predatory form of international capitalism, a system that has created the large gaps in wealth inequality amongst the Russian population. This type of predatory capitalism was under examination during the recent World Economic Forum virtual meeting in which the alternative, “stakeholder capitalism” became a topic for world leaders.
Stakeholder capitalism is a system in which corporations are oriented to serve the interests of all their stakeholders. Among the key stakeholders are customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and local communities. Under this system, a company's purpose is to create long-term value and not to maximize profits and enhance shareholder value at the cost of other stakeholder groups, namely employees, the quality of life in the population and the environment.

Point 1: Russia’s Integration of Stakeholder Capitalism

A transition from the predatory type of international capitalism, which often has been synonymous with the negative aspects of “globalisation” towards the conscientious values of stakeholder capitalism seems necessary in the next stage of evolution in Russia as a formidable global power under President Putin.

Although globalisation has opened the world economy, its negative effects depend upon a predatory type of capitalism in which vast wealth inequalities have led to sweat shops, slave labour, child labour, low wages and the pillaging and wreckage of local communities and the environment, all for the motive of maximising profit and shareholder value. The alternative, "stakeholder capitalism" which was the primary topic at the World Economic Forum 2021 discusses a reshaping of capitalism to hold companies accountable to community values, the well-being of its employees, the population and the environment. See also B-corporations.

During his special address to the World Economic Forum Davos Agenda 2021, President Putin made the following points that challenge the global economy 1) income gap within the population 2) rising costs of education and other services 3) rising social tensions due to unemployment as well as 4) his criticisms of stimulus and quantitative easing which only causes inflation 5) social unrest and systemic socio-economic problems which causes public discontent causing division 6) how tech monopolies control people and competes with the state 7) use of military force, sanctions and other methods to limit an economy.

However, many of President Putin’s challenges could be rectified by the conversion to stakeholder capitalism in the Russian economy, in conjunction with other European nations, such as France and Germany to enact the same policies. This will make the Russian Federation more amenable to European trade policies, along with directly addressing many of the protests that are currently taking place in Russia.

People protesting in Belarus. President Lukashenko has made it his policy to jail dissidents and opposition voices, whilst ignoring the demands of the public. He may soon be deposed as his continued policy in jailing dissidents have led to widespread nationwide protests. President Putin must be careful not to make the same mistake, and show leniency towards dissidents and protestors as a trust in democracy and free speech is what gives the public confidence in their government. Photo by Jan Graczynsku/Shutterstock

In the past, perceived authoritarian regimes have made the mistake of suppressing opposition voices through censorship and by jailing them. This is currently playing out in Belarus with President Lukashenko potentially nearing the end of his term with a possible regime change. This is something President Putin must be cautious of, as any action against opposition voices will only serve to further fuel the opposition.

Alexei Navalny’s video on President Dimitri Medvedev launched protests in 2017, just as his new video on Putin’s Palace launched similar protests in 2020. President Putin denied private ownership of the Black Sea Palace, and it was reported in 2013 by wikileaks to have been owned by a Russian oligarch, Alexander Ponomarenko who had said he bought it from Nikolai Shamalov and two of his partners for $350 million. Another Russian billionaire, Arkady Rotenberg came out recently and has said he bought the palace two years ago.

Instead of the oppression and jailing of Mr. Navalny under any pretext which gives more ammunition to popular media, President Putin can redirect public energy and attention on the launch of new initiatives, in addition to the integration of stakeholder capitalism in the Russian economy. The public dissent over the current Russian government is focused on the imbalance of wealth in which oligarchs and government officials have been perceived to have benefited, leaving the population bereft of a middle class standard of living.

Point 2: The Modernisation of Russia as an Epicentre of Research

Russia has a population of 144 million people, however, 35 million people are without indoor toilets and a sewage system and 57 million Russians do not have running water. Although some other Eastern European nations also do not have nationalised sewage system and running water, this is simply unfathomable for a nation such as Russia, who is seen as a rising global power.

57 million Russians do not have running water in their homes, and 35 million Russians do not have indoor toilets. Photo by Nikolay Titov, Global Look Press. Investment into modernising Russian infrastructure must become part of its philosophy of stakeholder capitalism and not profit driven in order to reap the long-term return on securing Russia's position as a global power.

The journalist Dmitry Travin notes that with the stifling of the opposition, “ordinary Russians have no one to tell them how miserable their lives are becoming”. Imagine coming home from a long day at work, only to have to defecate outside in the cold, then not being able to take a hot shower. It is no wonder that many Russian people have taken to the streets to protest the wealth inequality present in Russia. If it was not instigated by Mr. Navalny, another person like him would soon rise to take the helm. A solution or initiative in which a national plan to modernise water and sewage systems all throughout Russia would not only serve to invest in Russia’s growing infrastructure as an epicenter of technological and scientific research, it would also cement President Putin’s popularity among his dissenters.

Russian companies and oligarchs could unite to form a foundation in order to solve Russia’s water and sewage problem that affects 57 million people. In addition, development of its national sewage and water system might possibly help to lift sanctions on Russia's top oligarchs, as well as attracting top talent from around the world.

Point 3: The Advancement of Women in Russian Society

Another criticism highlighted by Mr. Navalny’s video satirically portrays President Putin giving financial advantages to his friends and family, namely women with no seeming qualifications suddenly attaining positions of influence (eg, an alleged girlfriend of President Putin’s, a housecleaner suddenly attaining majority shares in a company or another attaining board positions etc). However, the exploitation of women in Russia and the lack of opportunities for women to advance in positions of power is one that needs to be brought into sharp focus. Although, President Putin has been rather elusive and entirely private about his personal life, this attack on him, whether true or not, could present an opportunity to launch a nationwide initiative to advance women’s career routes by retraining them to work in different sectors along with opportunities for mentorship.

Women often face an increasingly harsh climb in the corporate world, along with lack of opportunities present in career advancement in male dominated industries. As more of Russia’s youth population turns towards inclusion into criminal gangs, young girls and women are at high risk for exploitation. Hence, President Putin has a clear opportunity in steering focus away from Mr. Navalny’s satirical treatment of his romantic liaisons and underlying degrading commentary of women in working class conditions, and instead redirect focus on building a more inclusive Russia that highlights and encourages the achievements of women.

Vladimir Putin congratulates women on Women's Day, 2011. Photo by Alexsey Druginyn, wikipedia commons. President Putin can utilise attacks on his romantic relationships in order to launch initiatives for the advancement of women, to counter against the discrimination of women in male dominated industries, to educate women in investment and mentorship, and a fund to help them launch businesses.

Point 4: Adoption of a British-style Education

It is well known that the 1% in Russia often send their children to become educated in the UK. However, this type of education is not available for the average Russian citizen. The development of a British-style education within Russia would allow its youth to develop into conscientious, international citizens, expanding Russia’s soft power and influence. In the days of the Russian Empire, when St. Petersburg was the centre of art and culture, people from all around the world came to Russia to share their insights in art, philosophy, literature and science. Similarly, Peter the Great who was considered a revolutionary leader who grew Russia into a global power, wanted the Russian population to be an educated population, and not one that blindly held onto the tenets of war and merely followed orders. His reforms in education ultimately led to Russia becoming a European centre of art and culture in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Bronze Horseman, a statue of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg. Peter the Great introduced a western style of education into Russia, in order to educate his people away from militiarism. President Putin can introduce a British style of education, in order to transform Russia's youth into a civil society that nurtures and produces future thought leaders.

A restructuring of Russian education towards the Socratic education style of asking questions and questioning assumptions and installing critical thinking and integration of both East Asian philosophies and European liberalism would lead to a more balanced education in Russia, and fulfill President Putin’s ideal of a civilised society, instead of “training” students to be proficient in military technology and patriotism, which might ironically, have the opposite effect and also lead towards the youth population becoming susceptible towards ethno-nationalism, as what is currently transpiring under Alexei Navalny.

Russia needs a society brimming with love for the country, a civil society that would be such, not only in name, but in status, that would do its job, not for money, but put its soul into efforts to right the wrongs. -Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin practicing martial arts, a favourite pastime. Photo by the Kremlin.

In Japanese philosophy, Aikido is a type of martial arts that uses ‘ki’ energy in redirecting opposing energy. A proponent can negate or redirect an opposing power using an attack as an opportunity. President Putin can readily avoid the mistakes made by his neighbour and ally, Alexander Lukashenko and instead show leniency towards his harshest critics, and redirect public focus on initiatives that benefit the Russian population.

All in all, over the span of his 20+ year career in politics, Vladimir Putin has become a recognisable, iconic figure on the global stage. Western critics have reviled him and painted him as an authoritarian figure whilst he has won the respect of all his political adversaries through his pragmatic, thoughtful and measured leadership style. He has been the subject of satire, caricatured in popular culture, featured in numerous documentaries, and has been the focus of widespread speculation and allegations despite being rather secretive about his personal life. Regardless of being a figure of immense controversy, it is clear that he has led Russia out from the instability of post-Communism towards the rising global power it is today. Now, Russia is at a particular juncture in which embracing stakeholder capitalism and moving away from the predatory form of globalisation could launch it as an Eurasian epicenter into the next era. Whether one loves him or hates him, it is clear that the world is fascinated with Vladimir Putin.

By Sierra Choi

Adam by Robin Doyle.

When we look back on history, it wasn’t necessarily the history books that gave us insight into past civilisations, it was their art. Art itself is hard to define, but throughout the ages, art has become the standard of a nation’s authentic history.

The delicate detailing of the eyes present in Pharaoh Ramesses II circa 1279 BC. portrays a man of deep introspection and sensitivity. Photo by the British Museum. From the statues of Ancient Egypt to the writings of Murasaki Shikibu, Leo Tolstoy and William Shakespeare to the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and the sculptures of Michelangelo, to the installations of Ai Weiwei, Bill Viola, the plays of Ivo van Hove and the murals of Banksy, artists reveal the hidden passages of our collective world, and often contradicts the politically edited version of events.

At its lowest form, art is merely decorative. It is akin to a screensaver or expensive wallpaper that is simply pleasant and innocuous; it is bland and easily forgotten, something that can be easily replaced with another similar version. At its most complex, art often reveals an uncomfortable truth about society, about ourselves, exposing the hypocrisy of our institutions, the paradoxical nature of the human condition, making us question our own assumptions and beliefs, fueling dialogue and discourse. Art enrages us, it makes us laugh, and it makes us cry; it brings into focus the contradictory nature of human existence. Art tells us what really is, when popular culture tells us what it isn’t.

Depiction of Murasaki Shikibu, who is considered the first novelist of the world, whose real name was unknown. Photo from Art archive. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, published in the early 11th century is considered the oldest novel in the history of the world and is not merely a tale of seduction describing the exploits of the central character, Prince Genji, but documents the political ruthlessness of the Heian period in Japanese history. During an era in which Japan adhered to the central tenets of Buddhism, of restraint and asceticism, Murasaki Shikibu’s novel describes a paradoxical, decadent society based on the opposite of what was publicly visible and does not spare any lascivious detail.

“History has many cunning passages, contrived corridors. And issues, deceives with whispering ambitions, Guides us by vanities.” - T.S. Eliot, Gerontion

During the early twentieth century, it has been well documented that many artists became targets of government corruption. The French philosopher Gilles Deleuze and his writing partner, the psychiatrist Felix Guttari’s two volume iconic work, Capitalism and Schizophrenia (1972, 1980) reveals that the United States, the United Kingdom and many nations in Europe actively engaged in a pattern of corruption to utilise military technology, censorship and propaganda in order to silence critics, mainly artists and writers, by locking them up in insane asylums and attaching psychological diagnoses to them in order to discredit them. Ezra Pound, Vivienne Eliot, Zelda Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, DH Lawrence and James Joyce were among many who had been discredited and often sent to mental institutions or sanitariums for their political beliefs and overt criticisms of their government. The dominance of psychiatry in popular culture would soon infiltrate every aspect of contemporary life.

Whereas in the 17th century, critics of the government were exiled and sentenced to death as Dante Alighieri, in contemporary culture, beginning with the the early 20th century, critics were sent to mental institutions and the profession of psychiatry became widespread arbiters of a “false truth” in order to police political thought.

The Statue of Peace, Mitte District, Berlin, 2020. Photo by Dong-A Ilbo.

In more recent times, if we examine the Statue of Peace installed in the Mitte district of Berlin in 2020, which had been commissioned to commemorate peace between Japan and South Korea, it is at first hard to discern why it would offend the Japanese government until we learn of its context. During WWII, “comfort women” or sex slaves were taken by the Japanese army from South Korean families, and despite Japanese reparations to the South Korean government, this passage in history is still a subject of quiet animosity between the two nations.

In this particular bronze sculpture, it reveals to us who these “comfort women” really were. Upon closer inspection of the seemingly innocuous statue, one soon realises that it wasn’t depicting a woman at all, but a young girl around 10 years old. This subtle commentary from the artist reveals that women were not the only victims, but that young girls had been taken from their families in order to become sex slaves for the Japanese army during WWII.

The extraordinary and exquisite detail of the bronze statue utilises rainfall from the natural environment to fall into the eyes, in what seemingly appears to be teardrops forming in the eyes of the statue. Photo by Markus Schreiber, AP.

Japan is currently a peaceful and technologically innovative nation, filled with innovative artists, writers and philosophers and award-winning architects and scientists. However, not so long ago, when they had been developing their military industrial complex, and growing their army and military presence, Japan’s culture had been quite different. They were a nation that often murdered and assassinated human rights activists, writers, artists, and their army was responsible for much bloodshed. What Japan and other nations teach us is that when a nation is focused on their military ambitions, and the development of their military industrial complex, without a focus on cultural advancement, their leaders soon grow complacent and allow many injustices to become commonplace as the de facto rule of the land.

“Art does not reflect what is seen, but rather it makes the hidden visible.” -Paul Klee

Art may also remind us of what we attempt to hide. Art often tells us the truth of who we are and were. As civil societies, we must understand our past in order to rectify the present, in order to build a fairer, more just society in the future. We have never forgotten the Holocaust, nor the Russian gulags that had murdered hundreds of millions of its own citizens. We have never forgotten the American and Spanish Civil Wars, and the history of slavery. We shouldn’t forget the children who had suffered in past wars, the children who were taken from their homes against their will.

Angela Merkel may be one of the greatest politicians of our era who has taken a strong stance against global corruption. Both Germany and Japan have become leaders in technology and art only after dismantling their military industrial complex after WWII. The Statue of Peace in Berlin should not be subject to compromise from any political ideology. Art often reveals to us uncomfortable truths about our society, about our past, and about our collective history. Most of all, art does not apologise. Despite that the Japanese government would like to have the statue removed within a year’s time, the statue should stay.

By Sierra Choi

The perplexing question of how to regulate user content on social media companies has been somewhat of a free-for-all and open to debate, whilst many nations have launched their own legislation to prevent illegal content, such as documenting criminal activities, uploading “revenge porn” and even, in extreme cases such as in Australia, who have introduced criminal penalties and jail time for tech executives in the Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material Act in 2019, making technology companies liable in cases where users upload content such as the live streaming of shootings.

However, the United States has had a cushion for tech executives in a legislation called Section 230, which gives immunity from all criminal liabilities for tech companies if users happen to upload content documenting illegal activity.

Section 230 was borne from the auspices of an emerging internet, in which many users had been uploading copyrighted content in the 1990s, and in many decades since, much of the material which can be uploaded on social media in the US depended on user communities flagging content, instead of social media companies policing content. It paved the way for companies like YouTube, which at the inception had been riddled with copyright infringement lawsuits, and instead allowed the transition towards a new kind of establishment, in which content could be promoted and user revenue became a new way for the democratisation of media. The Australian legislation of 2019 has veered away from that model, and instead has put the focus of liability directly on tech companies, shifting the liability from the user to tech executives.

Celebrities whose nude photos ended up on social media networks included Kate Upton and Jennifer Lawrence. Section 230 shielded US social media and technology companies from criminal liability during "the Fappening" in 2014, when hackers uploaded nude photos of celebrities through iCloud security vulnerabilities. Those photos are still shared on multiple websites today. However, with Australia’s new legislation, sites hosting illegal content would be directly legally responsible.

THE THREAT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP VS. BIG TECH

President Donald Trump has made it no secret regarding his vision for a repeal of Section 230, and to follow Australia’s lead in making tech executives directly criminally responsible for user posted content, taking away the cushion of liability it has enjoyed since 1996. Although, in recent news, tech executives have banded together to collectively ban President Trump, and many of his allies and supporters from social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat et al, citing rather specious terms regarding the incitement of Capitol Riots, it serves as a rather misleading and altogether legally flimsy excuse for simply ousting him due to his ability to garner support from a wide audience in order to continue to launch his repeal of Section 230, in addition to dismantling the tech monopolies, which have become the primary focus of the Department of Justice right before the November Presidential elections.

The collective ban of President Trump by US social media and tech companies also makes a statement around the world, and sends an unequivocal message to political leaders that they can be “cancelled” at any time, flexing the muscle of Big Tech in how they can not only choose those they want in political power, but how they can also control the media narrative, in addition to dictating the terms they want for legislation, in an effort to place political leaders beneath them as mere servants to their will.

Leaders around the world, including Chancellor Angela Merkel came out to denounce the banning of President Trump on social media. Mrs. Merkel has been known to disagree with President Trump on many issues but her position on his ban was reported as "an unacceptable ban of freedom of speech".

The hierarchy of power is clearly at the advantage of Big Tech in our contemporary era of corporatism, however, it places the majority of our political leaders in an uneasy predicament, in which they must choose either their conscience and serve the people and the interests of the public good, or else they serve the corporations that own them.

HOW BIG TECH’S COLLECTIVE CENSORSHIP PUSHES OPENS THE DOOR FOR A DECENTRALISED SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE FUTURE

Despite that many social media companies like Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat et al are publicly traded companies, their collective censorship on specious grounds of a political leader opens the door for both state-sponsored media and a decentralised media of the future.

It could be that in the near future, instead of using one or two dominant platforms for communication, nations could launch their own domestic, state sponsored companies in order to garner public support, therefore limiting the outreach of US tech companies as a global entity.
The overt banning of users with differing opinions on US tech platforms who support one political ideology over another also sends a clear message to millions of Americans as well, that tech companies cannot be trusted to uphold the basic tenets of democracy, of respecting the freedom of speech, therefore unwittingly fueling the roots of revolution. The recent censorship of American Big Tech companies against President Trump and his supporters has opened a wide gaping door which could also lead to their ultimate demise as the exodus of users has only just begun.

The exodus of users from social media has begun. The collective ban of President Trump by tech leaders has instead unintentionally launched a counter movement in which President Trump is now being heralded as a Moses of his time, leading the exodus from a tyrannical collective media.

The public backlash also creates a blueprint for both the development of a US-state sponsored media of the future in which potential telecommunications and social media companies could be state-owned, instead of being privately owned or publicly traded, as what China has been quietly accelerating, such as their govt state-sponsored WeChat, and also a counter movement of decentralised social media, in which blockchain enabled user-to-user interface could replace the current system of the tech giants. The lack of diverse opinions present in Big Tech would ultimately launch a more democratically enabled system in a decentralised version of social media. Although, twitter announced in late 2019 that they were also working on a decentralised version of their network, this system could ultimately bypass platforms such as twitter and facebook, so that users could essentially develop their own node to interact with other users on a blockchain-enabled network.

Social media apps may become a thing of the past. Users are weary of having to download multiple apps, and in the near future, users may instead have nodes that connect to a federated blockchain, directly connecting users together, and bypassing third party sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat et al.

After all, in our present era, many users are most likely exasperated from constantly switching from one platform to another, and downloading numerous apps to be able to do so, then having to upload to multiple platforms in order to communicate and share the same idea. Instead, developing individual nodes to interact directly with other users to communicate and share information would bypass “middlemen” such as facebook and twitter in the near future. Internet providers could readily launch services in which an internet subscription would include nodes to be utilised on the blockchain, and legislation would move away from a repeal of Section 230 as social media and tech companies become less influential and instead focus on the internet service providers themselves. The decentralisation of power is inevitable as the public backlash against technology heads in their arbitrary determination of what they deem as “fact” in addition to the ousting of people with opposing political viewpoints has begun the mass exodus of users from social media.

All in all, what has been perceived as the arbitrary censorship of the US President by technology executives has sent a clear message to leaders around the world that Big Tech must be wrangled and tamed, and no longer will they be subject to the liberal protections they had been given before.

NANCY PELOSI’S LAST ACT

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her illustrious career 30+ year career in politics, in which she has been known to throw lavish Capitol Hill parties and has equally obstructed numerous legislation and enhanced a dual-party gridlock in Congress, has made it abundantly clear that her views and morals are up for sale to the highest corporate bidder, and the true role of a politician is to only appeal to her corporate sponsors.

An incomplete list of legislation that Nancy Pelosi has obstructed, as both Minority House leader and as House Speaker, often in conjunction with her right-hand man, Senator Chuck Schumer in the Senate

• President Obama’s Free Trade Deal in the Pacific
• President Obama’s legislation to aid workers displaced by global trade
• President Obama’s Fast Track Bill
• Amendment supporting Medicare for All
• VA Choice for US Veterans
• Police Reform Bill
• Audit of November election that would increase transparency in voting integrity
• President Trump’s Virus package aid to help healthcare workers
• President Trump’s Block Medicare Grant for low income states and people not eligible for Medicare
• President Trump’s $250 billion loan programme for small businesses
• Coronavirus $500 billion immediate aid
• Coronavirus $2 trillion stimulus bill

Wicked Witch of the West or Feminist? Nancy Pelosi started her political career at the age of 47, defying the culture of American ageism which often glamourises youth, and has also become a staple in American politics, but according to her critics, has been a bad influence on Capitol Hill. She is often reported as someone politicians would not want to get on her bad side.

A perennial favourite of Big Pharma, Big Insurance, Big Oil, Big Tech, Wall Street and the Military Contracting industries, Mrs. Pelosi has not failed to usurp nearly every piece of legislation in order to make certain their objectives have been hijacked from their original intent whilst doing the bidding of her corporate donors.

Some of the accomplishments of then House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi include overturning President Obama’s intended universal health care legislation to benefit private health insurance companies, pushing TARP that benefitted Wall Street Banks and most recently as House Speaker, although initially dismissed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal as "Green New Dream or whatever", now most likely has her sights on how to turn the Green New Deal into a deal that benefits natural gas and oil companies.

Mrs. Pelosi is in direct contrast to her idealistic colleagues, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and even the more radically minded Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Jamal Bowman, Cori Bush; and also on the other side of the coin, Josh Hawley, Dan Goetz, Ted Cruz and Majorie Taylor Green, most of whom are newer members of Congress who still wear their idealistic badges to serve their constituents. But the question is, how long will their political idealism endure in a decades-long era in which Mrs. Pelosi has been criticised by political pundits to have corrupted every young idealistic politician into doing her bidding?

There is no doubt that the current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has had a lot to grapple with in the past year; on one hand, he represents the interests of Big Tech and NATO, and does not support the repeal of Section 230 yet on the other hand, he is someone with a conscience, who wants to get the right balance of working for the public good vs. serving corporate interests.

The ultimate frenemy. As House Minority Leader during the Obama years, Nancy Pelosi blocked nearly every piece of meaningful legislation that President Obama had authored, holding access to key corporate donors to members of her Democratic Party. Mrs. Pelosi has been the perennial frenemy to all her colleagues, and known as someone who attained her position due to her extraordinary ability to raise money and cater to all the demands of her corporate sponsors without any compunction.

However, it is clear though that the second impeachment proceedings by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has more long-term ramifications than simply silencing a wild cannon such as President Trump. Due to the basis of the impeachment, if even remotely successful, would most likely silence every member of Congress, in the House and Senate, along with any future President from speaking out against injustice nor appeal to their constituents using words that invoke protest.

Protest is a fundamental right in the US Constitution, along with the right to assembly (gather in groups) and what these second impeachment hearings actually accomplish is to effectively silence the freedom of speech in order to protest and gather in groups.

If we were to assess President Donald Trump’s social media accounts and his speeches, nowhere does he incite violence against the Capitol. In fact, he had tweeted for gatherers to “peacefully march to the Capitol”. There were never any fighting words in his speech presented to the protesters before the Capitol Riots, nor did he ever suggest people should resort to violence and to deface the Capitol.

If we were to assess the President's words, they could be compared to the passionate speeches of President John F. Kennedy, President Abraham Lincoln, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and even to Martin Luther King, Jr, but nowhere has he been documented to incite violence nor ask his followers to incite violence. Instead he asked his followers for a show of strength and unity during tumultuous times.

Play video: https://youtu.be/7J3V0rAuDaw

It has been reported that the only President that Nancy Pelosi has not been able to stronghold and influence has been President Donald Trump. Her motives in wanting to impeach the President twice may be motivated, in part, by her desire to usurp the separation of power, by weakening the role of the President in American politics and through the eradication of the freedom of speech in order to finally silence all her critics.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell must recognise that Mrs. Pelosi’s attempt at a second impeachment will inevitably not only affect Presidents of the past but also the ones in the future, and also have consequences on the US Constitution in freedom of speech and how it can be utilised to begin movements, those very movements in which the US was founded. There are serious long-term ramifications in the present in which the US Republic has been under fire in an ideological civil war, in which internal factions have paralysed and hijacked the responsibilities of both the Representatives and Senators of Capitol Hill, who have been sworn to serve the people.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made her stance clear, and has been shown to obstruct meaningful legislation every step of the way, often using feeble excuses to prevent aid to Americans, even the recent coronavirus stimulus package, and now in her show of political theatre in her continued antics of the new second impeachment proceedings, threaten both the freedom of speech and assembly, the very rights that the US Constitution has held dear for hundreds of years. The question remains, will Mr. McConnell be able to finally stand up to her and unite his party or will he allow Mrs. Pelosi and her “handler” and matchmaker extraordinaire Mr. Chuck Schumer to completely dismantle what remains of the true tenets of Congress?


By Sierra Choi



Disclaimer: This article is based on the author’s opinions and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organisation she may be a part of nor of the companies she works with. Opinions are defined as subjective viewpoints based on available data, including facts, and may be speculative but also may serve to use insight to point out hidden truths that are often overlooked by mainstream media and should be considered with equal weight and measure as other viewpoints as it is those individual viewpoints that contribute to a diversity of opinions and viewpoints in a truly functioning democracy where freedom of speech and dialogue are actively encouraged and not subject to arbitrary censorship.

2021 is around the corner and what a journey this year has been. For many of us, we have faced extraordinary circumstances, loss and hardship, unexpected gains and renewal of ourselves and familial bonds and many of us were pushed to become more resilient and resourceful and perhaps, even some of us found the love that transformed us all, or else we have tested our friendships to the limit.
 
We have found what it means to be there for the people we care about when times are hard, and also to say goodbye to those whom we could no longer count on.

The mainstream media unveiled itself to be a powerful force that has censored, misled and carried out an infotainment war with the public and independent journalists have come out of the woodwork so that their voices could be heard.

The end of 2020 presents the great challenges of a different world we now live in. The American Republic and the United Kingdom may change, small businesses may no longer be in business and as we move towards a technocratic society, we must remember that humanity is defined by our actions, and not what we own (in the wise words of President Jimmy Carter).

As the end of the year draws near, and the President of the United States will be inaugurated by the end of next month, I have compiled a short video of those Presidents who have most inspired us over the centuries. The ones who dared to fight for human rights, freedom of speech, for democracy and lastly, for peace will be the ones who have made the most impact on our society, no matter how controversial they may have been during their era.

2020 was a roller coaster journey, but I am grateful that it became the illuminating force in what we know to be true in our hearts; that we are resilient, and that we do not easily cave to pressure, that we know what it takes to fight for what we believe in; that we tolerate and welcome public discourse and difference in opinions because we are a nation founded on the freedom of speech and diversity; that we are all unbreakable in our lasting faith in democracy.

Click to play: youtu.be/zu-T6zWw69s


By Sierra Choi

A civil and open dialogue currently does not exist in American politics under the duopoly of the two dominant political parties. Anyone exposed to popular and social media can quickly discern that both sides often engage in argument ad hominems and character insults as opposed to breaking down the complexity of actual political and social issues. Empty emotional rhetoric is utilised to numb the masses, whilst the 6 corporations that own the collective media continue to fuel racial division and social unrest.

William Randolph Hearst: “You furnish the pictures, I’ll furnish the war.” The news magnate in 1897 revealed how he could effectively alter the course of global politics through the overt manipulation of public opinion. This strategy was mirrored in 2002 when the New York Times published unsubstantiated article after article in support of the Iraq War. Image by wikipedia commons

The duopoly system of American politics (in which there are two dominant parties: Democratic and Republican) have been successful in the radicalisation of people’s political beliefs. In recent times, the Democratic Party has adhered to the promotion of anarchy (eg, rioting, looting, defunding the police etc) and often utilised race politics in an attempt to divide people whilst the Republican Party has attempted to mobilise their base utilising fear against a militaristic China (eg, Trade War with China, the growing Chinese military and even the “China” virus).

The art of debate and open dialogue currently does not exist in American politics. Instead, major parties attempt to demonise the other side, radicalise their demographic and resort to baseless insults. Image by wikipedia commons

However, whether or not one is a Democrat or a Republican, a Libertarian or a member of the Green Party or any other party, it is clear however, that there is something awry going on in American politics and the state of democracy is in crisis. The current 2020 Presidential election has brought to light many inherent weaknesses in voting integrity and the vested interests of the 6 corporations that own the collective media have utilised the same tactics as William Randolph Hearst at the turn of the century in order to undermine democratic processes. In a representative democracy, voting is the most fundamental action citizens can take in order to make their voice heard.

If we examine the ⅗ compromise, in which only 3 out of 5 slaves in America were counted as part of the population in 1783 or the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, voting has become integral to the constitutional rights of people. Voting fraud should not be tolerated by any American, regardless of political affiliation.
Two dominant voting tabulation companies, ES&S and Dominion, in which the latter system has House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s longtime aid, Nadeam Elshami and also, Brian Wild who had worked for former Vice-President Dick Cheney has as active lobbyists. Mrs. Pelosi and Mr. Cheney are two politicians who have actively supported a Biden win amongst allegations that the Dominion software utilised in swing states have seen numerous “glitches” that occurred in 18 Spalding County voting districts in Georgia that switched votes to Mr. Biden.

Although historically, newspapers and the mainstream media have utilised their consolidated power in order to manipulate public opinion, this is the first time in history in which they have attempted to elect a President, by ignoring the judicial processes of the United States. Currently, there are 5 states in which lawsuits are actively pending, and investigations by the Department of Justice are still ongoing. This sets a dangerous precedent in which the corporate media may override the constitutional rights of the people by subversion of voting integrity. Image by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

In California and New York, where many Democrats had written-in for Bernie Sanders as their candidate also did not see their votes tabulated, and despite that in the 2020 California Democratic Presidential Primary, Bernie Sanders received over 2 million votes, significantly more than Mr. Biden, it was reported that there were strangely only a total of 56 write-in votes for the 2020 Presidential election whereas in the previous election in 2016, there had been over 200,000 write-in votes. For a state as populous as California with around 20 million registered people to vote, it seems implausible that only 56 people in the entire state wrote-in for a candidate in this election cycle.

Aside from the swing states, anomalies in voting integrity were also reported in many states such as New Hampshire, New Jersey, Colorado, an even a viral video surfaced in Delaware of a poll worker filling out ballots which the collective, mainstream media “fact-checkers” assert that the poll worker was simply filling out ballots copied from damaged ballots, however the damaged ballots do not appear to be visible anywhere in the video.

In Pennsylvania, at least 30,000 people 100 years or older requested mail-in ballots for the 2020 US Presidential Election.

In a technological age in which we have access to secure online banking, online tax platforms, online credit systems and other online platforms with AI for fraud detection, it seems unfathomable that we are still subject to paper ballots and the widespread use of hackable voting tabulation machines.

Former Vice-President Joseph Biden has said that the United States will be entering a “Dark Winter”. Dark Winter was an exercise in 2001 at the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense studies and the ANSER institute at Homeland Security examining the national security of a bioterror attack on the United States. The findings included that massive civilian casualties, breakdown in essential institutions, violation of democratic processes, civil disorder, and loss of confidence in government and strategic flexibility abroad were among the ways a biological attack could compromise national security.

As Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises has said, “Democracy is not something we can enjoy without effort, on the contrary, we must actively defend democracy and conquer with renewed effort.” Whether or not one supports Mr. Biden or President Trump or any other candidate, it is clear that the democratic processes of our voting integrity have been under subversion and this is not something we should passively hope gets fixed on its own. If we examine the past, our historical precedents fought for their right to vote and we shouldn’t abandon it so easily as to allow for widespread voter fraud to openly alter and dilute our vote, to drown out our voices with ballot stuffing, electronic tampering, voting hacking and the overt tactics of destroy-and-replace.
 
The 6 corporations that collectively own mainstream media should not bypass the judicial processes of the United States or any other nation, and they should not have the authority to determine who is the US President-Elect until the results have been certified. In addition, every single American, regardless of political affiliation, should ask for full transparency in voting processes, auditing of votes in all 50 states, an investigation of voting tabulation machines, and collectively work together to transform voting into a multi-layered, decentralised system with active fraud detection to preserve the integrity of our vote. To not do so would only lead to a breakdown of democratic processes, in which we allow a dark winter to reign.

click to play: https://youtu.be/FG3CBtDfsNg



By Sierra Choi

A few months ago, I gave a presentation called The Great Reset: Closing the Gap on Wealth Inequality for LATOKEN’s Blockchain Economic Forum which features the venture capital and startup community in various discussions and panels on the short-term and long-lasting impacts of a lockdown on the global economy.

Click https://youtu.be/ULyx3HkyuTM to play.

Some of the challenges that the global world faces during and post-lockdown are the following:

• In our current economic model of corporatism, how to rectify the growing inequities amongst people?
• How can we modify or restructure our financial systems so that people retain trust in our banking industries?
• How can nations move away from the GDP measure of wealth and instead implement a system which takes into account quality of life, access to resources and services and overall well-being of their population?

The Role of B-Corporations in a Future Model of Corporatism

When visitors come to cities like San Francisco and Seattle or even London, Prague, Beijing and Moscow, they might be shocked at the number of homeless people roaming the streets. The inherent issue in nations with high GDP (which have been used to determine a nation’s measure of wealth) has created a paradoxical situation which has led to widespread inequity, where the few remain wealthy whilst the majority of the population continually suffers under the rule of corporatism.

The Age of Tech Overlords. Jeff Bezos in an exoskeleton. Image by Jeff Bezos, Twitter

Our contemporary era of corporatism has been dubbed by academics as a kind of “technocratic feudalism”. The modern corporation has been criticised as limiting democracy and launching a feudal culture, in which few billionaires are created whilst the majority of the population suffers similar to the landlords in Medieval Europe who retained the majority of wealth, whilst the serfs who worked under them remained relatively poor.

If we examine the corporate structure, we can see that there are inherent limitations in the amount of public good that the corporation can serve, as founders and board members are forced to focus on short-term profit, creating as much value for shareholders as possible, otherwise, they may often become targets of lawsuits.

Short-term thinking from shareholders forces founders to take actions which may hurt its long-term goals. During 2018, activist investors led 240 campaigns targeting 218 companies worth more than $500 million, Comparatively, activists targeted 169 companies in 194 campaigns in 2017.

Case in point: eBay knowingly and voluntarily bought a piece of Craig Newmark's frugal, community-centered company, craigslist. As such, the fiduciary duty owed by the founders to eBay has to be viewed in the context of the company itself – a company renowned for its tiny size, community service mindset, and its refusal to adopt typical principles of short-term profit-maximization. However, it did not stop eBay from suing the founders for breach of fiduciary duty in 2009.

This problem has found a viable solution with the development of the B-Corporation structure which was initially launched in 2007. Benefit corporations or B-corps are a new kind of corporation legally required to:

1) have a corporate purpose to create a material positive impact on society and the environment
2) redefine fiduciary duty to require consideration of the interests of workers, community and the environment
3) publicly report annually on its overall social and environmental performance using a comprehensive, credible, independent, and transparent third party standard. Current law requires corporations to prioritise the financial interests of shareholders over the interests of workers, communities, and the environment.

B-Corporations put increased emphasis on other stakeholder values, such as environmental and social concerns, on their employees and the local community and shields founders and board members from the frivolous lawsuits by activist shareholders when they do not abide by the decisions that lead to “short-term profit” and instead adheres to a mission-based philosophy.

The oil spill on the Santa Barbara coast in 2015 which released 105K gallons of oil, endangering the ecosystem, wildlife and the environment. Plains Pipeline, the company whose pipeline ruptured had a poor safety record and accumulated 175 safety and maintenance infractions since 2006. If energy companies such as these are converted into the B-corporation structure, company founders, board of directors would be accountable for safety of the environment, its employees and its local communities above the fiduciary duties to maximise shareholder profit. Photo by Brian van der Burg/ LA Times via Getty Images

We can see that the traditional corporate structure, the C-Corp or S-Corp can no longer be utilised to maintain the public good, as the bottom line of “maximising shareholder value” has led to practices that have not only increased inequalities in wealth, but also has had significant damage on local communities and negative impacts on the environment.

Patagonia's Reimagine campaign in a revenue model that utilises repair service for its consumer durables instead of focusing on the purchase of new items.

When Patagonia reclassified its corporate structure from a C-Corp to a B-Corporation, instead of continually producing massive amounts of products for sale, they partially changed their revenue model in order for their old products to be repaired and updated to create less waste for the environment. This model could also be used for the electronics and mobile phone industries, in which old models could be serviced and continually updated to mitigate the culture of planned obsolescence, in which perfectly usable parts take up space in landfills and seep into the water supply.

"Electronics graveyards" are becoming increasingly common as defunct electronics, computer and mobile phone parts take up tonnes of space in landfills and other dumping sites. The tech industry's short-term profit of planned obsolescence (ie, a short life cycle of use before being discarded) has created tremendous amounts of global waste. Photo by reddit user member: DetroitEXP

When part of the corporate mission legally ensures that the corporation has a duty to the local community, to their employees and to the environment, then much of the inequities that have been created through old corporate models can be dismantled. Currently, there are only 2,500 B-Corporations in the world out of the hundreds of millions that exist today.

2/3 of the British public and 3/4 of the American population do not trust their financial institutions. An increasing distrust of the banking system could permeate into instability and an eventual breakdown of society.

In order to address the growing distrust of banking systems by the general public, one possible solution by lawmakers would be to require all banks and financial institutions to become B-Corporations. This action would immediately mitigate the predatory lending practices of financial institutions and their use of financial products such as credit default swaps, derivatives trading and the commingling of customer accounts which have led to the numerous bank bailouts that culminated in the 2008 financial crisis.

For banks to become B-Corporations, it would require changing their articles of incorporation and bylaws. Such changes put shareholders on parity with employees, the environment and the community in terms of decision-making. This will require board approval and may have regulatory implications as well.

If other industries, such as those in energy and healthcare are also legally obliged to take a duty to the local community, to their employees and to the environment and reset their priorities from “maximising shareholder value” to that of the well-being of their local communities, it could have an immediate yet impactful effect on widespread inequities, and also on the quality of living.

Addressing Technocratic Feudalism: Progressive Equity Structure

Another way to pacify the “technocratic feudalism” of our era is to implement a progressive equity structure as outlined by former Groupon founder Andrew Mason.

“Let’s say you’re the founder and you own about 50% — in a normal company, you’d get 500 megadonks. But under the Progressive Equity program, everything above the financial independence threshold gets “taxed” at 50% — you keep half, and the other half is redistributed back to employees, pro rata. So in our example, you’d get the first 50 megadonks outright and half of the other 450, for a total of 275 megadonks, and the other 225 would be redistributed to employees. So if you had 225 employees, on average each would get a megadonk. The cool thing about this is that employee percent ownership increases as the value of the company increases — natural incentive alignment.” - Andrew Mason

As an example, when President Obama launched legislation in order to limit senior executive pay limit to $500K, many tech leaders were able to bypass this law by giving themselves a $1 salary whilst being compensated primarily through stocks and other privileges. However, through a progressive equity structure, it would directly address the compensation disparity, and founders of unicorn companies would receive stock up to a certain percentage in which any excess would be redistributed directly to the employees pro rata. This progressive equity structure would create more multi-millionaires than billionaires, hence serving to eliminate the growing era of contemporary feudalism in Silicon Valley corporations and other companies with a valuation in excess of $1bln.

By making it mandatory for all corporations to transition into B-Corporations, and allowing the Board of Directors to implement a progressive equity structure, the role of the govt would be to allow corporations to take on the brunt of the responsibility of placing communities, their employees and the environment ahead of profit, instead of launching multiple time-consuming legislation in which lawyers can always find many creative loopholes in order to bypass regulation.

The Advantages of a Resource-Based Economy

In my presentation, I discuss how a resource-based economy can co-exist with contemporary corporatism and in fact, complementary to a democratic, capitalist system. Akin to a good OS, an ideal government mainly stays out of the way, but is in the background, making sure things run smoothly. In this type of government, the focus should primarily be on:

1) fair and efficient justice system
2) empowering people or self-agency (ie, ability of people to make their own choices and decisions, enhancing freedom of speech
3) built on a society of inclusion in which many different types of people with various backgrounds and religious beliefs can co-exist peacefully and where innovative programmes address the needs of the population
4) ability of people to have access to a variety of resources (eg, high tech transportation, internet, health care, education, job resources, emergency fund for natural disasters etc).

Robert Taylor Holmes housing project in Chicago in the midst of demolition. Despite good intentions, public housing and low-income housing projects have become dangerous sites of crime and gang activity. A more sustainable way to address poverty and the welfare state would be the development of Producer, Worker or Social Co-operatives, in which people in vulnerable communities have the opportunity to join a local co-operative by interest, where as employees, they also share ownership of the company. Photo by ChicagoEye from flickr

We live in a resource-rich society in which unsold food from supermarkets are readily thrown away into landfills everyday by the tonnes, and where there are 18 million abandoned homes in the US and 11 million abandoned mansions across the UK and EU which are simply rotting away. By redirecting and redistributing these abandoned assets, co-operatives can be developed to address homelessness, poverty and education skill training in which a diverse group of people are living together for a shared purpose instead of the current govt solution of temporary housing, low income housing and the welfare state which have only led to racial segregation and the rise of criminal gangs.

Comparing the Strength of Nations

If we examine some of the largest economies, we can see how effective each government is in regards to the 4 following categories: Justice System, Self-Agency, Society of Inclusion, Access to Resources.

6 nations: the UK, Germany, US, China, India and Russia were assessed in 4 categories: Justice System (Corruption Perceptions Index), Self-Agency (Freedom of Speech Reporters without Borders Index), Society of Inclusion (Rates of Poverty, Religious Freedom) and Resources (Health Care Coverage, Internet Access and Literacy Rates). Each nation was given a score between 2 and -2 based on their percentage.

As we can see, a strong justice system is what is the true core and architecture of a democratic nation. Without a fair and efficient justice system, people are subject to anarchy and instability in which there is a proliferation of criminal gangs and lack of individual freedoms and self-agency. In this regard, of the comparison group, the UK, Germany and the United States are the most democratic in the sense that there is an overall prevailing belief and trust in their justice system. In nations such as Russia, China and India, people have the lowest trust in their justice system, which leads to the proliferation of organised crime, corruption in government and lack of individual freedoms.

When small business owners have to pay ransom to the local gang, they might not be able to run a business at all. In a similar fashion, businesses cannot thrive in an environment in which the government cannot guarantee justice, and founders are subject to become victims of crime or bribery. This environment limits innovation at the core, because without a prevailing trust in the justice system, an innovative founder will most likely relocate to a more democratic nation in which he or she is able to launch a business protected by the law. Therefore, a trust in the justice system is the most fundamental foundation necessary for innovation and technological advances.
Secondly, self-agency and a society of inclusion are what are also intrinsic for a democratic society. Without freedom of speech, and the ability of individuals to make their own decisions, people would be living in a fascist state under a tyrannical rule or totalitarian state, such as what happened under Stalin and Hitler in WWII. A society dominated by intolerance and a corrupt justice system will overwhelmingly decrease the standard of living as an unstable foundation will lead to a breakdown in society and result in uprising and revolution.

If we examine the comparison of five nations here: the UK, Germany, United States, China, India and Russia, we can clearly see that GDP is not an adequate measure of wealth or quality of living and well-being for the average citizen.

The United Kingdom: A Rising Class Struggle

Nearly 1/4 of the population in the UK are living in poverty. The homeless sleeping near the Camden Town Tube Station. Photo by Faccundo Arrizabalaga/EPA via Shutterstock

Although the UK has a strong justice system, it suffers from increasing poverty levels, and currently nearly ¼ of the population are living in poverty (22%) which is set to increase post-Lockdown. This decrease in overall wealth, in which a significant portion of the population are exempted from a society of inclusion will inevitably have consequences that will eventually infiltrate its justice system, self-agency and access to resources as criminal gangs proliferate and become more commonplace. When the poverty level reaches a threshold of 30%, it is likely that many British institutions will potentially become eradicated due to cycles in uprising and revolution, such as the British Monarchy, in which there is currently a growing trend to dismantle a publicly visible institution based on the privileges of birthright. It is also likely that the financial centre of Europe could migrate from London to Frankfurt in another cyclical pattern.

Queen Elizabeth II could be the last reigning monarch in the United Kingdom. Increasing levels of poverty have found a convenient target spotlighting the British Monarchy’s use of taxpayer funds during an era in which many British subjects are suffering from the prolonged effects of the pandemic. A poverty threshold of 30% could likely predict an uprising similar to events that led to the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. Photo by Tolga Akmen/Pool via AP

In order to address the growing levels of poverty in the UK, by partially adopting a resource-based economy, this will most likely mitigate the factors of homelessness, poverty, the proliferation of criminal gangs and serve to preserve Britain’s oldest institutions.

India: Prevailing Injustices

India is a nation that has been slated to replace China as the leading manufacturer of the world. However, India suffers from three inherent weaknesses which makes this improbable: a lack of fair and efficient justice system in which many members of its population sometimes utilise vigilante justice due to the many years of waiting until a case is resolved, a stringent caste system which excludes many people from a society of inclusion and an inherent lack of resources for its population. Compounded by an exponentially growing population, it is likely that these problems will become more magnified in the next decade. Although much has been given credit for India’s growing tech industry which has pulled a portion of its population out of poverty, the inherent lack of foundation in a strong and reliable justice system will most likely undercut these achievements.

Since the lockdown, child labour and exploitation have exponentially increased in India as families struggle with the pandemic. Photo from TheirWorld

Modernisation of its legal system and an overhaul of its overall justice system are necessary in order for India to move towards its future goals. In addition, only 5% of India’s population have health care, and of the largest economies in the world, it is a nation with one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Lack of access to food, nutrition, education and adequate housing are only some of India’s problems. Violent crimes are on the rise and victims often find no retribution, allowing India to be overrun with hate crimes, violent crimes against women, exploitation of children, environmental waste and other crimes which have become altogether commonplace. These issues are all rooted in its lack of a strong justice system which will become further weakened as India’s population exponentially grows in the next decade if adequate measures are not immediately taken by Prime Minister Narendi Modi.

Russia: Post-Communist Transformation

Russia is an expansive nation that extends across northern Asia and eastern Europe and spans 11 time zones, yet only has a population of 145.9 million people. Although it has one of the most educated populations in the world, with 54% of their population having attained tertiary degrees; criminal activity, proliferation of gangs, human trafficking and arms trafficking are some of Russia’s prominent problematic areas.

The likely reason for the lack of growth in the population is multi-dimensional; one probable reason is that Russia is a significant nation in which women are sourced to become trafficked to over 50 nations for sexual exploitation, and men are trafficked from Central Asia for labour in the construction and agricultural industries. Another presumed reason for the lack of population growth is that many young men fall victims to crime and are recruited into organised criminal gang activity due to an inherent lack of justice system, along with a prevalent culture of malnutrition and alcoholism.
  
Although President Vladimir Putin has taken many steps in order to incentivise higher birth rates, such as maternity capital assistance for those who have at least two children, and the implementation of fixed mortgage rates for young families, the underlying root causes of the problem remain. If we are to examine the central, architectural issues in Russia’s declining population, it could also be directly attributed to its lack of a strong justice system. Russia ranks near the bottom in the corruption perceptions index which assesses a nation’s social and economic justice, human rights, peace and security.

Despite that President Putin has spent much of his career in govt to address prevailing injustices in Russia, and during his tenure, has increased GDP and income per capita, Russia suffers from an overwhelming dominating weakness: its singular dependence on the fossil fuels sector as exports and on the arms trade. Compounded by a lack of a strong justice system, this has handicapped Russia’s other industries and sectors, decreasing the quality of life for the average Russian citizen.
One way to address this underlying problem would be for President Putin to adopt progressive policies limiting the domination of the fossil fuels sector and implementing policies for a diversified energy strategy, such as what China has done. In addition, technological innovation could supplant Russia with a Silicon Valley style headquarters in St. Petersburg, which would be able to attract talent from all around the world, instead of the focus on the development of military weapons.

Russia rests on one of the greatest resources of the world: The Arctic Circle. Russia has the ability to lead the green energy revolution in Eurasia by investment in hydroelectric power and sodium ion batteries. Diversification of its energy strategy and development of a tech capital would ensure Russia would not become dependent on its sole export of fossil fuels in future generations.

A fair and efficient justice system, the promotion of free speech and self-agency, strong investment into a diversified energy strategy along with the development of a tech headquarters based on multi-national cooperation and not on the development of military weapons would most certainly place Russia as a formidable nation with an iconic leader who has been placed during one of its greatest transitional eras in which President Putin’s legacy could be that of the peacemaker in a region that has suffered much strife.

Russia is also a nation that would most likely benefit from implementing a Swiss-style of governance and taxation, with each district or canton making its own decisions on how to best implement fiscal and economic policy.

China: Overcoming Authoritarianism

Under President Xi Jinping, China has undergone a radical transformation which has become one of the largest economies in the world. However, as mentioned previously, a high GDP is not necessarily indicative of the quality of life or standard of living and similar to India and Russia, China suffers from a lack of a strong justice system, and scores the lowest of all developed nations in self-agency. According to the Freedom of Speech Reporters Without Borders Index, China is on the near bottom of the list, beneath all developed nations, due to its stringent censorship of any criticism against the government. Although this could be indicative of President Xi Jinping’s military background or farming strategy in quickly weeding out insurgents, as a society, it has an overall negative effect on self-agency and is contrary towards a society of inclusion. Alternative points of view often lead to a more robust system of governance that can quickly assimilate problems and enhance democracy, in addition to being able to become tolerant of differences which enhances a nation’s global soft power.

The recent military exercises by the People's Republic of China have made many of its allies and neighbours suspicious of China's intentions of a potential land grab or annexation of surrounding nations. Instead of focusing on building its military presence, President Xi Jinping could launch research initiatives to explore exoplanets in joint projects with the US Space Force and shed its image as an authoritarian government in order to increase its global soft power and gain support for the Belt and Road Initiative. Photo from defensetalk.com

In the past, China had suffered from an oppressive one-child policy and its population has an overall distrust of its legal system. Lack of transparency in government processes, secrecy in dealings and lack of individual rights has led to widespread organised crime and private entrepreneurs sitting in jail for years without access to their family, their lawyers and a right to a fair trial. This lack of democratic processes in domestic matters undermine China’s strategy in implementing the global Belt and Road Initiative, as its allies and other foreign nations may become altogether suspicious of its new military ambitions.

For China to make way for a new era of global influence, it must first shed its image as an authoritarian government that does not honour individual freedoms. Despite its journey towards a high tech nation that has wisely invested in the diversification of energy resources, domestic infrastructure projects and the near eradication of poverty, these extraordinary accomplishments are in danger of becoming undermined when President Xi Jinping is no longer in power, and could instead, supplant his peaceful methodologies with a renewed military vengeance that would inevitably impede his achievements and lead the way for a perpetual New Cold War.

China could eliminate this impasse in diplomacy and global influence by focusing on restructuring its justice system, eliminating its internet firewall, allowing for greater individual freedoms and instead of appeasing its military leaders who wish to build a formidable military industrial complex, refocus on the development of a multi-national alliance in space exploration and research.

Germany: A New Model of Europe

A German hydroelectric plant. Germany is set to be completely energy independent and be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Germany, under the leadership of Angela Merkel has made rapid gains in energy independence, has become one of the EU’s leaders in green energy and implemented a robust fiscal policy which set the model of behaviour for dealing with the 2008 financial crisis. Germany also has a strong and transparent justice system, self-agency and access to resources for its population. 100% of Germany’s population is covered by health care, either public or private, and tuition-free German Universities are world-class institutions that have produced the most Nobel Laureates along with the United States and the United Kingdom. However, one area where Germany is weakened by is its growing rates of poverty and lack of a society of inclusion.

Germany, like the UK, could benefit from partially adopting a resource-based economy in order to both address its negative population growth and to adapt to the changing needs of its population. The Ruhr region in Germany has 21.1% of its residents living in abject poverty which affects both the elderly and the young. Although a wealth tax and increase in minimum wage could be a temporary solution to poverty, the underpinnings of poverty in these regions would still exist. Implementing a resource-based economy in these regions could revitalise entrepreneurship and also serve as cultural, education and social centres where youth are prevented from joining criminal gangs. By redistributing abandoned assets, investment into co-operatives and promoting cultural and social cohesion, these actions could have an immediate impact on the most vulnerable in Germany’s population.

United States: The Evolution of Corporatism

The United States is one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in the world and has been at the forefront of the technology revolution. Currently, at this time, the US is undergoing a radical transformation under the leadership of President Donald Trump, in which he is veering away from the war profiteering model of the last four decades, and setting a precedent for Middle Eastern peace, as well as challenging the most vocal proponents of the Bush War Era.
The US is also currently in a precarious position as it deals with increasing poverty, a lack of resources for its population and a waning justice system in which politicians are lobbied by multiple corporations and might not always act in the best interests in the public good, along with an outdated legal and prison system that has only propagated more criminal activity. With a steadily rising population, the lack of resources is the most prominent feature which could further cripple the US economy.

By mandating the conversion of current corporations to the B-Corporation structure, a new evolution of corporatism could arise, in which corporations have an obligation and responsibility to the environment, to its communities and to its employees above short-term profit. In addition, the proliferation of worker-owned co-operatives in vulnerable neighbourhoods could become the new economic model of how to address poverty and homelessness.

As with the UK and Germany, partially implementing a resource-based economy could counteract the negative effects of inflation, rising poverty levels and the proliferation of gang activity in major cities. Currently, the US uses govt subsidies to support industries (eg, fossil fuels, fracking and agriculture) that do not actually need support, which have only worked to further exacerbate class divisions. The launch of numerous, time consuming legislation have only found avenues in which corporations often find creative loopholes. Instead, the US could take a different approach and mandate the transfer of all corporations to the B-corporation structure and administer a resource-based economy in states and regions most affected by poverty and crime. By launching co-operative initiatives (in which employees retain ownership of the company) this could revolutionalise many sectors such as housing, agriculture, transportation, waste management, healthcare and manufacturing. Short-term solutions of simply throwing money at the problem, such as low-income housing, a welfare state or funding for the homeless would become obsolete, and instead, the most vulnerable members of the population would be able to access resources in order to create stable, meaningful lives.

As I mention in my presentation, wealth is simply the ability to access many different opportunities and not necessarily about having a lot of money. Money is a form of trade, and transfer of goods and services, but attaining opportunities to engage in new goals, start new ventures, access resources and execute ideas is at the heart of the American Dream.

Poverty is often a learned behaviour from the inability to access resources and opportunities. By re-shaping the American economy by strengthening its justice system, stabilising inflation and the eradication of poverty by partially implementing a resource-based economy, democracy can be best served to the population at large through innovation, enhanced self-agency and self-reliance, and support of a capitalist system in which individuals could retain ownership in the co-operative of their employment. This system would create a fairer system of capitalism which would address the growing era of technocratic feudalism, class divisions and income inequality.


By Sierra Choi

In his New Year’s speech before 2020, President Xi Jinping outlined the goals for his vision of China. The People’s Republic of China had begun to revitalise many of China’s landmarks, including the economic development of the Yangtze River, transportation and infrastructure plans were set in motion, high tech methods of rubbish and waste disposal and recycling were already in place, the per capita income of every family had been raised to $10K USD and he outlined the ultimate goal of the eradication of poverty in rural areas.

The President of China, Xi Jinping, who has been described as "humble, thoughtful and kind," by his American host parents when President Xi had been an exchange student in Iowa in 1985. Photo by Reuters

China’s rising economic status has not been a surprise nor was it unexpected. From 2013, Lord Charles Powell argued that the 21st century would belong to China which stirred an intense debate about the role of China’s new leadership on the global stage.

Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who during the President Bush era of multiple foreign interventions that lead to the disastrous Iraq War of which depleted the American economy, has said of China:

“China is a strategic competitor, not a strategic partner and will do what it can to enhance its power, including stealing nuclear secrets and bullying Taiwan.” - Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice
(source: US-China Relations in the Twenty-First Century: A Question of Trust by Michael Tai)

Whilst during the Bush Eras, the United States had been preoccupied in multi-trillion dollar foreign interventions, enriching the 1% war profiteers at the cost of the American people, China was re-inventing itself, by focusing on their domestic infrastructure plans. However, it wasn’t until President Xi Jinping announced in 2017 that China would begin to develop a “world class military” on par with the United States that the alarm bells started ringing for the West.

This became a distressing wake-up call for many of the 1%ers on Capitol Hill who had spent the last five decades heavily invested in the military industrial complex and it gave China the perfect opportunity to showcase its diplomacy on the global stage by launching their One Belt One Road Initiative, with their plans to develop trading routes connecting continents all around the world.

China's Master Plan to dominate global trade through an initiative that utilises the same ideology as the Marshall Plan post WWII

The United States was not sleeping whilst China was developing its plans, our leaders were ultimately engaged in an obsessive quest for control of oil resources that we put aside our main priorities, allowing the understudy to take centre stage. As China’s population climbed out of poverty and their middle class grew, ours began to fall into poverty, our middle class became weakened and our major cities started to deteriorate into crime and homelessness. As China was focused on investment into their economy, our leaders in the US were focused on enriching war profiteers.

It was no surprise then that China began developing their own military. The current propaganda war against China has many parallels with the Cold War that began in the 1940s. The demonisation on each side will inevitably lead to a revival of McCarthyism, not only in the United States but of all its ally nations if it is not stopped at the inception.

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

- Benjamin Franklin


The McCarthy Era was a dark period in US history when many top intellectuals, artists, researchers and military advisers left the US due to the targeting of Americans by Senator McCarthy in his “Red China” campaign of the 1950s. A pervasive fear within the American population led to a halt in academic research and technological development and instead there was a focus on a witch hunt that led to the mass exodus of many Americans into Europe.

Playwright Arthur Miller (far left) and actress Lucille Ball (far right) were iconic Americans who had become targets of Senator McCarthy's witch hunt in the 1950s. Using a motive to "weed out" communism, he instead launched a campaign against many Americans who spoke out to criticise the govt's actions.

The United States is currently in a precarious position, as a declining superpower that is faced with the rising, economic power of China. There is a strong possibility that the kind of protectionism that will lead to a New Cold War with China will not only alienate the US in many trade deals and agreements by forcing all of the US allies to choose China, but it will also revert the United States back into an antiquated manufacturing centre, where its greatest assets will not be its technological and research centres, but a nation that in the future, will be environmentally devastated by fracking, overrun with toxic superfund sites and poverty, and a place that only produces AI robots and mobile phones, whilst China becomes the energy leader in the world.

A still image from the film Blade Runner 2049 (dir: Denis Villeneuve) depicts a dystopian, devastated landscape of a future United States in which environmental waste is omnipresent and individual freedoms have been demolished, a potential consequence of a prolonged Cold War against China.

China has seen the future, and it has understood that energy diversification is the key to becoming the global leader. If the United States wants to move away from its bleak future of becoming a mere manufacturing centre for AI robots and mobile devices, then it must swiftly change its strategy from a New Cold War with China, and instead continue to compete with China on all levels in the economic, financial and infrastructure development arena.

Three Gorges Dam in the Yangtze River, China. The development of hydroelectric maglev power will be the key to attaining global dominance in the latter half of the 21st century. Photo by Wang Gang, People's Daily Online

Currently, China has a significant advantage over the US in its leadership role at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The AIIB is seen as a competitor to International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Due to the fact that all of US’ allies have joined the AIIB, minus Japan, it puts the US in a position of consequential disadvantage and alienates the US from its allies. By setting aside ego and looking onward towards the future with a rational mindset, it is clearly to the advantage of the US to take a leadership role in AIIB by surpassing China’s voting shares in the investment bank.

The Marshall Plan has many parallels with China's One Road One Belt Initiative. The Marshall Plan became key in popularising democracy and American influence in Europe, which would eventually lead to the fall of the Iron Curtain and end of communist influence. Photo by Everett Historical/ Shutterstock

“The policy of the United States is not directed against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the existence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.” -Secretary of State George C. Marshall, June 1947

The Marshall Plan or the European Economic Development Plan was the key factor in spreading democracy in Europe and overcoming communism, that would eventually lead to the fall of the Iron Curtain some 30 years later. China has implemented the One Road, One Belt Initiative modelled after the Marshall Plan because it has seen how infrastructure development in Europe was the key in winning the Cold War and attaining global influence after WWII. Contrary to popular belief, President Ronald Reagan was not responsible for the end of the Cold War, he only witnessed the result of decades of work in action, when the Marshall Plan had been first implemented in 1948 to rebuild Europe, this was the key decisive action that popularised democratic ideology and American influence in Europe over that of communism.

Hence, China currently has another advantage on the world stage, because they are presenting the plan that will ultimately lead to their domination, not only in politics and influence, but by building the transactional infrastructure to connect Asia with Africa and Europe in the One Road, One Belt Initiative.

Instead of seeing this plan as a threat to be stopped in its tracks, the US could take on this challenge and offer the world a better alternative: The Technology Road Initiative. Iconic American tech leaders could come together to dismantle the competition, building up anticipation for a global infrastructure plan that has a more pragmatic and realistic plan of action than the current excitement over Elon Musk’s desire to build a colony on Mars.

An American global infrastructure plan, the Technology Road Initiative, to launch trading routes connecting Asia, Africa and Europe could strengthen the United States’ position as the global economic leader into the latter 21st century. Photo by Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.

One advantage that the US has over China and many other nations is its inherent ability to market and promote an idea. The One Belt, One Road Plan will not be able to compete with a potential American Technology Road Initiative. Whereas many of China and Russia’s neighbours fear their presence in the possibility of their plans to annex surrounding nations through a power grab of land, the US has built a cult around the American Dream and has been the number one immigrant destination of the world since its inception in 1776. Whereas the People’s Republic of China has put ethnic people into concentration camps, and critics of their government have “disappeared” along with their human rights activists who end up dying in mysterious circumstances in government facilities, the US has long had a history of embracing “civil disobedience”.

“Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is in prison...Anyone in a free society where the laws are unjust has an obligation to break the law.”- Henry David Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience” 1849

“Civil disobedience”, when Henry David Thoreau first wrote his essay in 1849, would set a precedent for the kind of political philosophy in how the US embraces its own citizens: the individual need to prioritise one's conscience over the dictates of laws. Americans are well-known for criticising their own social institutions and policies, most prominently slavery and war profiteering, and that hasn’t changed much since the inception of the US as an independent nation in 1776.

But here, we also need to acknowledge the dark past of US history and its actions against Native American people, to our own citizens when after WWII, Americans of Japanese descent were unjustly put into concentration camps and also rectify prison camps such as Guantanamo Bay, which have also come into sharp focus under human rights abuses.

What differs from the US vs. China is that the US has not erased its history nor denied such wrongdoings, nor have prevented people from speaking out about it, but instead have fully admitted its mistakes, including the oversight of power that led to the Iraq War. In this way, critics of these practices after time, as part of its system of “civil disobedience” become the checks-and-balances when a system becomes corrupt. This is something that the People’s Republic of China inherently lacks. What will happen to China after Xi Jinping? Who will become his successor? The problems with an authoritarian government, and that which promotes a monoculture and oppression of other ideologies and religions, and that which also imprisons its critics will inevitably become corrupt over time.

Vladimir Lenin, the son of a serf, was a charismatic intellectual and revolutionary whose politics rebelled against a class system based on privileges of birthright, and fought for equality of man based on his actions. However, his ideology would only serve to later become hijacked by Josef Stalin, who took power and wielded totalitarian control over the population which led to the genocide of 20 million Russian citizens.

A nation without faith in its justice system, and without the checks-and-balances of a free press, will eventually be led down the blind path of corruption and cycle through uprisings and revolutions, until a similar or worse system of governance eventually replaces it. Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin may have had the best of intentions in promoting equality amongst the feudal society they were subject to, but their best intentions did not construct a fail proof system of governance that would lead to these ideologies. Instead, men like Josef Stalin and Lavrentiy Beria would take power and instigate a paranoid and fearful climate of genocide that would lead to the execution of 20 million of their own citizens in gulags, a system far worse than the feudal society they had risen from.

“Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world, only a barbaric one.” -Ai Weiwei

President Xi Jinping, whose own father was seized and beaten by the Chinese Communist Party must integrate a philosophy of embracing “civil disobedience” in order for China to gain acceptance and respect from its neighbours across the sea. The Chinese Dream is the collective hope for restoring China’s greatness and ancient origins in its literary and intellectual history. China does not need a world class military in order to achieve these ends; on the contrary, the development of a military will further lock the US and China into a prolonged New Cold War, which has negative long-term consequences for both nations.

A mass grave site at a Gulag labour camp in Katyn, Russia, 1943. 20 million people had died through starvation, torture and harsh labour conditions. This was far from the ideology espoused by Vladimir Lenin, however, ideologies can be hijacked and utilised by those whose power is unchecked. Photo by wikipedia commons.

If we examine the consequences of a New Cold War, President Xi Jinping has devoted much of his energy into domestic infrastructure plans, and the eradication of poverty. The refocus on building a military could potentially end those achievements, and instead has lead to increased global tensions, in which, after his successor takes over, China in 2060 could be very different from the one that exists now, when the Chinese Dream is alive and the potential revival of its ancient origins is about to take place. Instead, the Chinese Dream could be replaced with the dystopian society of Orwell’s 1984, when the expenditures of the military become the primary focus of the 3 superpower nations, who utilise propaganda and genocide as a means to keep people in perpetual poverty. Mr. Xi could be the idealistic Lenin of today, whose successor, a Stalin type figure, alters China into an unrecognisable China of the future, which has been lost to perpetual conflict and genocide of its own people.

Empress Cixi was largely disparaged by the communist government of China, however she was credited for modernising China during an era when technological innovations flourished. She also attempted to open China to welcome Western influence and encountered much resistance from the men of Manchu nobility who refused to give up their privileges.

When I think of China’s illustrious, magnificent history, I think about the Qing Dynasty, its era of technological innovation and openness towards Western culture under Empress Cixi.
A controversial figure of her era, Empress Cixi, had futilely worked to alter the old belief systems of the elitist men of Manchu nobility who had discriminated against the Han Chinese as she had foreseen those actions would only end up in uprising and would lead to the end of the great Chinese Imperial Empire. China, along with the UK, is the only nation that has had a long history of female rulers. Women such as Lu Zhi, Jia Nanfeng, Zhangsun, Wei and even the infamous Wu Zetian defined Chinese society and led the way towards innovation.

In contemporary China, I also think of iconic artists such as Ai Weiwei and Ren Hang. I think of entrepreneurs such as Jack Ma and Zhang Xin. Although the 18th and 19th centuries revealed many injustices in the previous empires, there is no doubt that Imperial China had been tolerant of ideologies and had an open philosophy of adoption which fueled many of its technological advances. Ancient Chinese history is filled with many colourful stories, its long history of Traditional Chinese Medicine, creativity and philosophy. Hence why it is to China’s advantage to continue to focus on the beauty and the art of the Chinese Dream, and not of its military ambitions.

Soft power, or cultural influence has no national borders when people are tolerant of those who are different from them. It is the oppression of these voices that lead to uprising and chaos. It is the lack of civil disobedience that leads to instability and revolution. It is the intolerance of those who are different from us that lead people into mass exodus. A New Cold War will ensure that both China and the United States will fall into a trap in which as Sun Tzu has wisely stated in the Art of War: no nation has ever benefited from a prolonged conflict.

Sun Tzu, the iconic Ancient Chinese writer, philosopher and military general whose book The Art of War has inspired many generations since. 

The last Cold War lasted 50 years. This one could last 100 years. In that dark era of paranoia and hyper surveillance of the first Cold War, it was the ordinary citizen who had suffered. It was the ordinary people who lost their liberty, who had been unjustly targeted, who had been put into a position of powerlessness and people perpetually lived in a state of fear.

Although Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice saw China as an adversary, the simple truth is that China and the US are in a tightly-woven economic marriage, and in a marriage, each couple has different needs. It would be more advantageous for each nation to focus on the true enemy of the people: poverty and ignorance, rather than being in a prolonged propaganda, economic and military spending war for dominance in which the consequences could be as grim as the dystopian world in 1984.

In George Orwell's 1984, 3 Superstates are in a continual Cold War in which people have lost their liberty and individual freedoms and the majority of the population is living in perpetual poverty due to the Superstates' expenditures on their own military industrial complex. The United States + UK (Oceania) and Russia + annexed nations (Eurasian Union) and China + annexed nations (Eastasia) could have applications in a contemporary context as China has recently begun to escalate their military spending and the threat of a New Cold War looms.

A great nation cannot exist in a monoculture, and a great nation cannot be built on censorship of its own critics. Hence, although China is a growing economic superpower, it suffers from an inherent weakness in its adherence to a political philosophy that is at odds with contemporary liberalism. The US has been criticised to practice democracy at home but not abroad, and this is an area where the US could benefit from China’s influence in achieving power through the development of a global Technology Road Initiative that rivals the One Belt One Road Initiative. Both nations are in much need of marriage counseling, and prolonged divorce proceedings will only further work to damage both parties.

Therefore, it is necessary to move away from the Bush Era warhawks of looking at every nation as a potential threat and enemy, and for China to focus on its cultural, artistic and philosophical heritage instead of on its military presence, and the two nations could then begin the process to focus on the beneficial outcomes of partnership from an economic and cultural point of view and be united in its fight against the true plagues of our era: poverty and ignorance.


By Sierra Choi

Note: some images in this article may not be for sensitive viewers.

2020: The Great Impasse

2020 will be one of the most pivotal moments in US history, as currently, the global world is at an important crossroads.

The televised execution of Saddam Hussein in 2006 and the graphic video detailing Muammar Gaddafi's death in 2011 sent shockwaves around the world and has permanently damaged the United States' reputation as a humanitarian liberator. Despite protests against both the Iraq war and the Intervention against Libya, the United States followed a foreign policy that went against the wishes of the American people. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found in Iraq and the US failed to utilise diplomacy in order to negotiate with the Libyan government in order to create a trading agreement of its oil resources.

The appalling foreign policy in which televised executions of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi became public have permanently damaged the United States’ credibility and reputation as a humanitarian liberator. Instead, due to these universally viewed horrific images, the global world has taken a perspective of the US as a cruel, autocratic regime, funded by war profiteers.
However, as Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, under President Trump, is part of the first US Presidential administration in which no foreign interventions or wars have been launched since the Jimmy Carter era.

Click to see video: https://youtu.be/ht0rcKDPLVY?start=644&end=726
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his 2018 confirmation hearing. He says that, “War should always be the last resort..I intend to work to achieve the President’s policies with diplomacy rather than sending our young men and women to war.”

List of achievements under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo within the two years since he came into office:

• Peace talks with North Korea (in negotiation)
• Removal of troops from Syria
• Possibility of peace talks with the Taliban (in negotiation)
• Peace treaty with Saudi Arabia and Israel (of which Presidential advisors Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump had a significant role)
  

One of the criticisms of the current US administration is the withdrawal from the Iran Deal. However, it was discovered by intelligence agencies that the funds sent to Iran were being repurposed to fund the Syrian Civil War. When the US pulled out of the Iran Deal, the proxy funding of the Syrian War was halted, and the Trump administration was able to pull troops out of Syria, halting the growing hostilities between the US and Russia.

In comparison, Susan Rice, who will most likely become Joe Biden’s Secretary of State has been part of past administrations in which multiple foreign interventions have taken place under her watch as Senior Foreign Policy Advisor and National Security Advisor (2014-2017) including the American led-intervention in Iraq 2.0 (2014), American-led intervention in Syria (2014), Yemeni Civil War (2015), and the Second Libyan Civil War (2015). In addition, her role in previous administrations as a diplomat to African nations created more friction and it has been said that her misjudgements in diplomacy led to the death of at least 100,000 people in Ethopia and Eritrea (2002) and 5.4 million Africans in the Second Congo War (2008).

One of the major criticisms of President Obama’s foreign policy measures may have been primarily due to his irrevocable trust in Susan Rice, his primary senior foreign policy advisor and national security advisor, whose actions from the outside could be interpreted as sabotaging his diplomatic efforts and supplanting his peaceful methods with warhawk ideologies.

The "interventionist" Susan Rice who was the key senior foreign policy and national security advisor who has been said to have undermined the Obama Administration's policy of foreign diplomacy with warhawk strategies. Photo by Reuters

In addition, after giving her full support of the Iraq War and who was quoted as saying that, “It's clear that Iraq poses a major threat. It's clear that its weapons of mass destruction need to be dealt with forcefully, and that's the path we're on.” to an NPR interview in 2002, she later attempted to recant her statements several years later when public fury was at a high, and even wrote a book attempting to erase her image as a warhawk. Despite numerous edits of her wikipedia page and inundation of paid op-pieces to paint her as a liberal peacelover, it remains to be seen if the American public will be convinced by her recent PR strategy in an attempt to appeal to socially liberal voters who are opposed to continual war profiteering in her bid as Secretary of State.

The Roman Empire’s Low Period As A Precursor for American Foreign Policy

Political corruption, foreign wars, and the collapse of the middle class led to the fall of the Roman Empire. The US, up until recently, had been following a similar path. Photo from moneycrashers.com

During the recent online Democratic National Convention (DNC), Presidential candidate Joe Biden gave a brilliant, emotive speech encompassing all of America’s values: that of decency, of fairness, of racial equality and unity during a time of hardship. Joe Biden, who has suffered numerous tragedies in his personal life, is the kind of survivor that most Americans can identify with. He is the kind of charismatic speaker with whom the American public resonates with. However, we must remember that the role of President is not alone in his administration and it is the advisors he surrounds himself that will ultimately matter. According to many insiders, Capitol Hill is a toxic environment in which even the most idealistic of politicians will eventually become jaded and corrupt when they are surrounded by people who routinely use bullying and forceful tactics and measures in order to make might, the right of law. Hence why it is necessary to reform the American government to prevent the further demise of the United States.

Measures that need to be taken to reform the US GOVT:

• Make war profiteering illegal for any members of Congress, the House and the members of their immediate family
• The primary role of the US military cannot be contracted out to private companies
• Secret Service protection should be mandatory for all members of the Senate and House, including their immediate families
• Anti-censorship laws should be implemented for social media companies
• Prohibition of the use of troll farms or bots by marketing and publicity firms in order to inundate or bury information on the internet

During the Low Period of the Roman Empire, which would eventually lead to its demise, it was crippled by debts, multiple ongoing wars in which its resources eventually became depleted, and the people in the Roman Empire began to suffer and lost motivation and hope under the weight of all the wars they were supporting. This should provide a lesson to the United States of America, as war profiteering by the 1% in Washington DC can no longer be tolerated.

In 2020, the American people have been hit with a coronavirus pandemic, flooding in major cities, raging fires, numerous shutdowns of major businesses and race politics. However important as these topics are, they cannot become red herrings to the current climate in which the United States is at an important impasse in its trajectory as a superpower. Will the US, become like Rome, and fall under the weight of all its foreign wars? Or will the US prevail under a new era of peaceful diplomacy?

Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein, two major Democratic donors and supporters whose decades long systematic exploitation of young girls and women were overlooked by many Democrats, who were reported to be fully aware of their activities as they continued to reap awards and many political benefits. Photo by MEGA

Joe Biden is obviously a charismatic speaker but is he willing to overcome the toxic environment that is Capitol Hill and withdraw his support for the military contractors who would like to capitalise on racial division in order to continue to sell its warhawk strategy of foreign policy? It is also true that some Trump supporters may be unsavoury people, who may be homophobes, bigots and racists. It is also true that some of the major donors and supporters of the Democrats have been people like Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, whose systematic exploitation of young women went on for decades in plain sight, of which many Democrats were fully aware but never bothered to help the most vulnerable in society despite words to the contrary in public.

The fractured United States. RCG illustration by Paula C. Rondeau

During an era in which we are at a great impasse, when there are many factions breaking the US apart, what we need is a person of action, to work within the administration, from behind the scenes, who does as he or she says, and does not merely seduce us with emotional rhetoric appealing to the masses.


By Sierra Choi