Russia Has Been Banned From International Sports Competitions

The Russian Federation has been banned from international sports competitions. Russian athletes who wish to compete in the Olympics must do so under a neutral status. This ban could last up to for years meaning Russia will miss out on the 2020 Olympics and the 2022 World Cup. Allegations of state sponsored doping programs have been made, yet there is little evidence to suggest there was a program that was similar to East Germany in the past. The World Anti-Doping Agency stands by its findings that  the Russian government did have a network of  providing performance enhancing substances. Russia has according to the WADA  deleted or manipulated data related to drug use from its Moscow Laboratory . So far, it appears that President Putin will appeal the four year ban. It would seem fair that athletes who were not found positive for substances should be allowed to compete. However, some voices in WADA want a ban of all Russian athletes. This position indicates that the ban may have a political motivation. Russia and the West are at a nadir in terms of relations, which may explain such views. Many countries have athletes who have used performance enhancing drugs, but never faced as much serious punishment. The scandal brings into question drug policy, the politics of sport, and testing. 

Pension Reform Sparks Demonstrations in France

France has planned to  reform its pension system, which has sparked major strikes. This sudden attempt at reform only reveals that the French economy may not be in the best condition. The  labor unions and concerned citizens have vowed to strike until the pension reform is abandoned. These demonstrations will cause a halt to transportation. President Emmanuel  Macron stated that he intended to reform the welfare and pension system. What this meant was that he was making it more favorable to business rather than the general public. If France wanted to have more financial security, it would have to end its military operations in West and North Africa. No suggestions have been made reducing military budgets, yet reducing social services seems acceptable to the Macron presidency. The pension reform legislation may encourage more supply side economic measures or more fiscal austerity. Workers and the elderly will suffer more of the burden compared to the corporate and business community.   Such reform would cause major social problems, none which have been seen since the French Revolution or  the establishment of the third  republic. French history has been turbulent with swings between liberal transformation and conservative reaction. It appears that France could be going in a more reactionary political and economic path. So far, President Emmanuel Macron refuses to listen to the demands of protesters. Workers may have to delay their retirement for smaller pensions. An estimated 800,000 have taken to the streets and it could possibly escalate if no compromise is reached. 

The Need For An International Peace Movement

The world now is more connected than ever. It has become as smaller environment with many people. Warfare and conflict can spread rapidly between continents. Instead of a pathway to stability world powers seek geopolitical competition. The need for an international peace movement has become more pivotal as a means to counter mass global conflict. Humanity's survival could be at risk with the expansion of war zones across nation-states. The world population has the ability to aid in its own extinction with a constant increase of international disputes. Other factors are motivators for acts of aggression. The growing power of xenophobia, racism, and aggressive nationalism exacerbate various global situations. The military industrial complex and the arms trade explain what there is an economic investment in war. World leaders have a political need for permanent warfare. War can act as a unifying force, enemy nations can be a scapegoat for political or social problems, and there comes a level of prestige to the victor nation. Brutal conquests thought to be a relic of the past, just happen differently in the contemporary era. Justifications such as democracy promotion, human rights, or the concept of responsibility to protect are designed to enable western countries to invade African, Asian, and Latin American nations. The simple narrative is that this is liberation from rouge regimes, that abuse their people. The intent is for the UK, US, France, and  Germany to have influence in the former colonies that they once possessed. The countries that feel the impact of neo-colonial imperialism  resist for a period, but this has dire consequences. The wars may end in defeat or long term damage to the countries rebelling against the imposed world order. This shift to using violence and  coercion  is an attempt to stop the rise of a mulipolar world political order. China and Russia are subjects of many US and EU discussions on security. If too much reckless behavior is done the world could fall into another as catastrophic as World War I and World War II. The only logical solution to prevent such risks is to have an international peace movement. With enough pressure, such a movement can stop smaller conflicts and prevent a larger global  conflagration.
         Diplomacy and skilled foreign relations were intended to maintain peace. However, it is being used to ensure that world power competition continues. The shifting alliances are for the sake of military pacts. NATO gradually has become more than about the security of Europe. During the 20th century the alliance was a practical one to counter  the Soviet Union in post -World War II Europe. Instead it is attempting to ensure that western nations maintain predominance and prevent the rise of a multipolar system. NATO has been involved various conflicts from Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and Libya. This is technically military aggression disguised as humanitarian intervention and democracy promotion. An international peace movement must counter this false narrative that world opinion has adopted. The praxis of foreign relations and diplomacy must be changed to ensure new conflicts are not created or merge with preexisting ones. The international peace movement must become more involved with the United Nations. For too long major powers have been shielded from the same rules and regulations of the UN Charter. The United States or Israel would never face sanctions for their military actions in the Middle East. International law must be equally applied to all nations, not a select few. The nations that are classified as rogue states such as Iran or  North Korea  are demonized as threats, but their military strength is no where near the level of the US, UK, Germany, France, or Italy. Presenting an existential threat  that is imagined is designed to keep the military industrial complex relevant to foreign policy planning. War has essential become a tool of foreign policy with nations contemplating how to intervene either directly or indirectly. Part of the international peace movement is to separate warfare from foreign policy planning. If this is not done there is a chance of a possible conflict between the US-EU block and the Russia-China alliance.
         The international peace movement must reject the concept of just war and armies . The concept of just war is that it is designed to save people and prevent atrocities. Normally, this is one power dominating a weaker state. If out right conquest can not be achieved, then indirect influence can be established. Venezuela and Bolivia are subject to US influence, which they reject yet the threat of violence is used. Russia has since 2014 gained an abnormal amount of influence in Ukraine. The US frames its own inference as a means of protecting Ukraine, when it is only interested in its own geopolitical objectives. Every country on Earth has an armed force for its alleged protection. Some nations are more than capable of defending themselves, but rationalize aggression and violence as national security. The majority of countries do not want peace. The very fact that armies exist demonstrate that humanity has a long and violent history. For all the advancement in civilization and technology  humankind has not figured out a way to live as neighbors. When this perspective is presented, there is a logical reason to have armies disbanded. Banning armed forces would be impossible considering warfare has been a constant presence in human history. The arms trade, military industrial complex, and  the political establishment have too much investment in perpetual confrontation. The only strategy to counter such powerful forces would be to resist the draft and selective service. It would require that every person of military service age to repudiate calls to serve. The only legitimate circumstance to arm one's self is to resist oppression. That is justified when a political system or state  seeking to control and repress its citizens. The abolition of armies should be a policy. As long as every nation has a military there will never be peace.
         The threat of another mass global conflict has never disappeared. The end of the Cold War gave the world a false sense of security. Instead the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China could be moving toward direct military engagement. All over the world these powers of both Europe and Asia are competing with one another both economically and politically. The Middle East and Africa have become areas of proxy wars in which the opposing powers are arming multiple belligerents in smaller conflicts. It is possible that smaller disputes can escalate into much larger conflicts. The international peace movement must counter world powers attempts to initiate or conduct global war. The public has long convinced itself that leaders do not want war, but policies and actions demonstrate otherwise. War has been used to spread neocolonial imperialism under the context of human rights protection or democratization. The ulterior motive is to gain control of certain natural resources before other world powers do. The international peace movement must stop this behavior, before a possible cataclysmic event occurs. The last two global wars in the 20th century had major repercussions, many which still effect the state of world politics. World War I started due to European colonial imperialism, rival alliance systems, and large power competition. The result of that conflict cause the collapse of the German, Russian, and Ottoman Empire. The economic and political instability that followed gave birth to fascism as an alternative to disorder. World War II stared due the the fascist political movement,aggressive nationalism, and a more militarist imperial ideology. Events such as these could easily happen again. Global war may be a greater possibility with the most powerful nations attempting to impose a governance system on various countries or experimenting with nation building projects. The 2003 Iraq War was an example of using war to advance a geopolitical agenda and making nation building a form of foreign policy. The response was that other nations were going to arm themselves to counter possible aggression for western powers. Internal instability is used by world powers a pretext for invasion. An international peace movement can prevent global conflict, before it reaches a dire level. World leaders have so far not been able or willing to end wars.
         War can destroy society and civilization. The combination of bombing and  the damage from armed forces on the ground can devastate infrastructure and habitability of  a nation. The humanitarian crisis is not just the war itself, but the tragedy that come afterward. Homelessness, poverty, and refugees looking for safety are the results of long term military action. Society cannot be functional without a certain level of development, economic activity, and an active citizenry. The foundation of society are the communities that work and contribute to its daily operation. Without the individuals, families, and groups that constitute a nation, society does not exist. Certain conditions are required to prevent a country from falling into being a failed state. Economic prosperity, limited violence, rule of law, freedom, and equality are the elements that keep society strong. When these elements are not present and some major geopolitical crisis occurs society can collapse. Even the victorious nations in war face a number of public challenges. The issue of integrating combat soldiers back into civilian life becomes more difficult. The mental and physical health decline of former soldiers becomes more evident to a population who begins to question the motivation for war. The victor nation may become more divided over the politics and policies of the government. Division may become so great, the reconciliation and collaboration may not be possible among various political groups. Society becomes so fragmented, a country cannot not be whole. The nation that is defeated in war either remains in a feeble condition or under occupation from the victor. Society cannot exist under the conditions of intense combat.
    Civilization itself is under threat from military aggression. While many like to think that conflicts on other continents do not effect them, this notion is incorrect. Multiple governments could be making alliances with other nations interfering with regional war zones. Obligations under treaties of security may force numerous countries to go to war with one another. A cross continental conflict could be fought on the land, air, or  at sea. Few areas would be safe if  such a mass global conflict were to emerge. Technology has aided the rise of more powerful weapons. The earliest weapons were clubs, which the gave way to daggers. Swords and spears become more widespread. Guns and artillery radically changed war making warfare more lethal. As time passed war became more mechanized with planes and tanks. The invention of nuclear weapons made it possible that humanity could be capable of its own destruction. So far,nuclear war has not been fought. However, there may be some in leadership positions who have the desire or at least contemplated using them. The US, China, Russia, UK , France, Germany, Pakistan, India, and Israel possess nuclear weapons. These countries have complicated relations with one another and there is no guarantee that if war was declared  nuclear weapons would be excluded. A nuclear war could annihilate cities and cause a rapid  decline in public health conditions. Instead of making more treaties to reduce or eliminate nuclear weapons completely some nations chose to pursue an arms race. The US withdraw from the INF Treaty signals a change in 30 years of nuclear weapons policy. The world has not been freed from the prospect of a nuclear exchange. A total global war would be so destructive not only would civilization end, humanity would not survive. An international peace movement could effectively preserve society and civilization for the forces that promote belligerence.
       Human life must be protected and under war this is not feasible. Civilians will ultimately be victims of murder and rape during war. The Geneva Convention states the legal conduct of armies during war and that the attack on civilians constitutes war crimes. Nations that win wars or that are too powerful to punish are not subjected to international law. Less powerful countries are reprimanded more so in comparison. Despite this obvious double standard, responsibility to protect has been invoked to either bully or subjugate nations of the global south. The wars to either save and protect people from rouge states causes more collateral damage. Warfare has never resulted in the protection of human life. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Seniors could be too ill to flee a war zone and conditions may be so poor that immediate medical attention is not possible. Children are dependent on adults for their survival. Parents cannot protect their children under the extreme and predictable war zone environment. There are instances in which children are used as instruments of war. The use of child soldiers has been documented in Myanmar, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Robbed of their childhoods, they are forced to fight and be a part of  armed groups or the military. This violation of children's basic rights  goes either unnoticed or is not give enough exposure to the international public. Educating the world about this practice will help advance the international peace movement. Also researching causality figures can help change public opinion. Having such data available may appeal to the ethical standards of a population, that was formally manipulated into supporting war. By the time soldier deaths mount, it is already too late to resist the war policy of  a government. This is the most cogent argument for developing a long lasting international peace movement. The loss of human life is too great a risk to wage war on any level.
       The growing problem of xenophobic nativist nationalism enables confrontation. Dehumanization makes it easier to for people to murder various ethnic or racial groups. Nations justify violence by demonizing other countries as threats or being barbaric. Racism and hate are powerful motivators that get populations to inflict damage upon one another. Ethnic conflicts in Rwanda, Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, and Myanmar demonstrate how lethal ethnic hatreds can be. The Holocaust and Armenian genocide are horrid reminders of humanity's more malevolent tendencies. Such behavior must be countered to ensure the control of war and violence. Aggressive nationalism must be expunged if there is to be a world of stability. As long as there are nations who believe that it is their right to dominate the world, global security is not possible. Aggression comes in the form of democracy promotion, nation building, and regime change. The smaller and by comparison  militarily weaker authoritarian states become targets not due to their human rights abuses rather their natural resources. A disproportionate number of African, Asian, and Latin American states have faced attack or interference from European countries and the US. The EU and the US feel as if they have a right to intervene in these countries viewing them as lesser beings. Arrogance, racism, and prejudice have come with a price. The system of permanent warfare has created the worst refugee crisis the world has ever seen. Millions have fled the Middle East and Africa as a result of  western military action. There needs to be a change in racial attitudes and the conduct between nations. The international peace movement must not only stop war, but also counter xenophobic nativist nationalism and racist ideology. Such political beliefs make it easier for the justification of aggressive war. The focus should be on fighting ideologies that seek to undermine freedom, equality and human rights.
       A long lasting international peace movement can be a means of preventing mass global conflict, loss of human life, the deterioration of society,  and regional instability. A movement of such a scale cannot be temporary, but a permanent fixture. The environmentalist movement has become an international force bringing attention to the growing problems of climate change. However, there exists no such momentum for a peace movement. Many times they emerge and disappear depending on the length of armed combat. When wars are either won or lost the peace movements vanish. Activism against war must continue, because war planning never stops. NATO, the Pentagon, the EU, and various military think tanks constantly formulate policies for armed combat. Certain countries are targeted for either harassment or regime change in the distant future. There are few organizations involved in an establishment of peace or conflict resolution. The United Nations should be a platform to ensure peace and diplomatic negotiation. Yet, there are cases in which it is a culprit in promoting warfare. UN Resolution 1973 and the Gulf War were questionable acts. Peacekeeping missions can also draw scrutiny. National sovereignty can be violated with a UN peace keeping force attempting to impose order and stability. Few western nations provide troops to UN peacekeeping forces, instead the majority come from African, Asian, or Latin American countries. The model of ensuring peace has not reduced warfare in various areas of the globe. The inadequacy of peace initiatives of the UN become more apparent when examining the war in Yemen, the instability of  South Sudan, and the challenges in the DRC. An international peace movement will have to involve multiple organizations from across the world to ensure practical resolution of ongoing conflicts. The complete disappearance of war may not be a political possibility. So much of human history has been driven by combat, that it almost seems natural behavior. What could be done is gradual commitment to reducing wars and  containing conflicts . An international peace movement is required to ensure that humankind has a future.             
         

The Protests Lebanon

Economic crisis and political turmoil have forced the citizens of Lebanon to the streets in protest. The government caused the demonstrations due to imposing new taxes and refusal to move ahead on reforms. These demonstrations are probably going to continue with major impacts on the political culture of Lebanon. The country seems to be slipping into instability and memories of the civil war remain fresh in the minds of the older generation. So far, these protests are becoming more effective with the resignation of  Saad Hariri. The fear as that the country could become more erratic if he left office. However, his inability to solve basic problems related to Lebanon have damaged his political career. The question remains whether or not the Future Movement will remain a political force in the country. Growing unemployment, fiscal austerity, and a network of government corruption has caused mass public discord. Political factionalism and sectarianism could tear the country apart. This further complicates matters when the civil war in Syria is active and Israel seeks to challenge Hezbollah. When it was announced that ex-finance minister Mohammed Safadi was going to run for Prime Minister , this only vexed the public more. Protests in Tripoli and Beirut erupted with the announcement of his nomination. Safadi withdrew his nomination, yet there still is no prime minister. The next government faces the challenge of meeting public demands and programs of reform.    

President Evo Morales Resigns

President Evo Morales has resigned and departed to Mexico. It appears that he has sought asylum in the country amid protests in  Bolivia.  Once more, another leftist government has been removed in Latin America and a wave of far-right reactionary politics will sweep across Latin America. The protests in La Paz have not ended. Now rivals and supporters of the government are in direct conflict. There is reasonable suspicion that US involvement had a role in removing the Morales government. Similar to Venezuela, the United States seeks regime change to have a government more compliant with its foreign policy in the region. Jeanine Anez will be sworn in as interim president during the political transition. The following events may unfold just like in Brazil, when Dilma Rousseff was removed. What has happened in Bolivia could be classified a coup. The opposition denies the accusation that the events that transpired were part of a conspiracy. The accusations of electoral fraud were met with protests in 2019. President Morales offered new elections. This was ignored and then the police joined in the protests. The military then started supporting the idea of President Evo Morales' removal. Latin America has a long history of military coups and far-right authoritarian governments coming to power. Events that have occurred in Bolivia demonstrate South America may be reverting back to these regimes of the 20th century.     

The Iraq Protests Escalate

Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein has become more unstable. The population has finally reached a point in which it can no longer tolerate deteriorating economic and political conditions. The protests against corrupt government and worsening economic conditions started in 2018, with no end in sight. If the government cannot provide for the average Iraqi, it is possible it could slide back into an authoritarian system. Elements of the the authoritarian system still remain with the illusion that democracy is working in Iraq. It has been reported that security forces are using deadly force against protesters. The demonstrations are increasing in size in many cities, with Baghdad becoming a major focus. Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi could not handle or meet the demands that the citizens of Iraq had long wanted. Jobs, security, and a sustainable future seem out of reach. The tension with Iran and Gulf states also is a factor. Lebanon is having similar issues, with protests becoming more frequent. Iraq has the challenge of  ISIS, US interference, Iran, and a divided population based around both ethnicity as well as religion. Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi has agreed to step down, but this will not satisfy a disgruntled public. The hope is that the demonstrations will remain peaceful and that security forces will not engage in anymore human rights abuse. If Iraq's government collapses, this could mean possible civil war.       

Gabon Invests in Satellites to Save The Rain Forests (2015)

African nations are doing their part to prevent further damage to the environment. Humanity's rapid technological advancement has created a situation in which deforestation and pollution have become major concerns.  Gabon has been proactive in its approach. The country has some of the most bio-diverse rain forests. The rain forests extend to the beach, which few in the world do. Palm oil production and mineral extraction has been the culprit of rain forest destruction in places such as the Congo. There are about an estimated 10,000 species of plants that exist in the rain forest. Technology has been utilized in preserving Gabon's rain forests. Satellite technology has been used to monitor the rain forests with the assistance of France and Brazil. Gabon has in comparison done better than Brazil in rain forest protection .  Brazil has seen some of the worst devastation in the Amazon, which got international attention. The partnership began in 2015 and hopefully there will be more in the following years. Climate change, pollution, and deforestation are potential threats to human survival. Only in the last few years a revitalized international environmentalist movement  has brought such concerns to public attention.  

The Importance of Internet Freedom

The creation of the internet enable more communication between people globally than one could ever think was possible. Ideas, information, and various movements can spread rapidly. Internet Freedom has given rise to digital media, e-commerce, and an evolving form of technology based activism. There have been calculated means to stop the progress of this new freedom by the ruling elite of the world. Net neutrality has been under attack by various governments and corporations who realize the power of the medium. Internet freedom offers a diverse alternative media, enables a new form of commerce, and allows for a forum of open discussion on various topics or issues. The major reason why internet freedom is so essential is that it provides a vast amount of knowledge  easily available to people who have access. Once the digital divide is closed, more people have access to information. There are still places in the world that do not have reliable internet access. It is only a matter of time before this changes. It will become more difficult for information to be suppressed or hidden from public view. The internet's creation did have negative consequences. Hacking, the spread of extremist ideology, and cybercrime have become common problems with widespread internet use. Prohibition of certain internet platforms would be counterproductive. Such suggestions are designed to either hinder the flow of information or end internet freedom completely. Arguments from suppressing internet freedom range from public safety, stopping online piracy, or crime prevention. The real motive behind this is for far-right and authoritarian elements to silence the voices of dissent. If social and political movements can be started by either websites, social media, or other digital platforms networks of oppression may not have a means to counter such speed. Internet freedom could be a means for radical change of the economic, political, and social structure.
        Internet freedom can ensure preservation of a functional free press. Many nations do not have this privilege. Nations with press protection face another problem of corporate domination of news. The presentation of the truth is not the objective for a business. The major media corporations are more concerned about profit rather than high quality reporting or journalism. The authoritarian regimes seek to stifle internet access to prevent exposure to new ideas or information reaching the wider world. Exposure to new ideas or ideology can disrupt the status quo in a repressive state. The internet has become a place in which information and news is limitless. Video sharing and original content for various individuals has exposed billions of people to different perspectives. Alternative media has emerged  as a challenger to mainstream news, which presents a simplistic or biased narrative. Although major cable news networks both local and international have an online presence, they still present the same message. The critical or serious analytical element is missing, yet is replaced with opinion presented as fact. Out of frustration, consumers have turned to alternative media. Fox News, CNN, CCtv, BBC, Africa News, Euronews,  France 24, and Russia Today either have a national  or political based biased that can be seen in their reporting. The internet allows users to seek out various websites and compare information. The challenge for the user is distinguishing between fact and erroneous claims.

      
There has been an increase in what has been called fake news. Websites and social media platforms have been spreading information that is not true or checked for accuracy. Fake news is not a new phenomenon seeing as there were cases in which false statements or accusations were made in newspapers and television. Jayson Blair a former New York Times  journalist fabricated stories in 2003 regarding the Iraq War. Articles were discovered to false by the staff and Blair was forced to resign. Incidents such as that have gradually cause a more suspicion  of the media by the public. The press has come under threat from the corporate model of news, censorship, and government hostility. The internet has for the most part avoided large scale censorship that television and radio has been faced with. The issues surrounding privacy and   technology companies using personal data has gained the attention of numerous political figures. The government's concern is not the theft of personal data or the violation of privacy, but a means of either having control or more strict regulation of the internet. If net neutrality is eradicated, press freedom could lose a valuable resource. Internet service providers could easily just reduce speeds to certain websites or worse by taking them off of search engine listings. With print media disappearing, it is critical that the consumers of news have access to multiple sources of information. Media literacy become more essential in a world that is driven by information.
        Electronic commerce has become a major economic development. It has revolutionized the way people purchase products. The driving force in the contemporary consumer culture is e-commerce. None of this would have been possible without internet freedom. People have the power to buy many products at any time of day. Amazon or E-Bay has a multitude of items ranging from clothing, books, electronics, clothes, and furniture. The difference is that a consumer can also engage in selling items. The option for the individual can be to set a certain price with the hope it get s the attention of a potential buyer.  E-commerce also contributes to the survival of small businesses. Compared to large and long running corporations, smaller businesses have difficulty competing in the market. The disadvantage is obvious in terms of advertisement. A corporation can have more resources devoted to buying air time, erecting billboards, or developing public relations campaigns. A small business or start-up does that have the finance for such ambitious projects. However, social media and websites can provide spaces for advertisement at minimal cost. This creates an equal atmosphere of market competition between small business and corporations.

    
Large corporations have the benefit of  having a lower federal  income tax  rate compared to smaller businesses. Having wider internet freedom encourages an expansion of small business, which will keep the economy diversified. There is a legitimate fear that monopolies could reemerge as corporations move to more amalgamation. This is occurring more so with media and entertainment.  Entertainment and other forms of media can benefit from internet freedom. Video streaming and sharing has change the way people watch movies and TV shows. It allows for a greater variety for the viewer to choose from. As time progresses, the internet will become a large section of the entertainment industry.  Internet freedom allows commerce to happen even without a physical store or market. Staring a business or company becomes much easier with the tools of the internet. Some believe that e-commerce has been causing the decline of traditional retail stores. What is not realized is that many stores are establishing websites and online shopping options. This allows more exposure of a company's brand to the wider public. The rise of e-commerce will continue and it will become more a part of  consumers lives. The amazing phenomenon is that the divide between consumer and producer may gradually disappear.
       Internet freedom has given the average person more knowledge than previous generations. Prior to the internet, the library, school, or a book was what people referred to. Now, a person can merely type on their laptop or phone and get answers to their questions. The internet has become a large encyclopedia of a vast assortment of human experience. Video streaming as also enabled an immense archive of prominent individuals and years gone by. Knowledge has become an even greater power and commodity in the modern world. The more a person knows, the more advantages they will have. Even though many would see the internet as nothing more than senseless entertainment or a frivolous waste of time, it can be used for learning. Public schools and universities realize that a contemporary workforce needs at least some basic computer literacy skills. Schools now offer coding and computer science courses to students. Living in a technological society requires a solid knowledge base. Just having knowledge stored is not enough; people must be taught how to decipher and interpret it.

Prior to technological advancements, it was difficult for the average person to gain access to knowledge. Information was either transmitted through oral traditions in many societies. The rise of writing and language made it so a person did not have to be reliant on their memory only. The printing press gave way to the increase in literacy and the rapid transfer of information. Books became  more available and libraries became open to the public. Newspapers could print faster with a printing press. Speed of information became more important as the centuries progressed. The 20th century brought into existence two influential  forms of technology which were radio and television. People could listen or look at what was happening around the world. The establishment of the World Wide Web in 1989 would amplify how fast and the total amount of information  the public could receive. The people of the world can witness events without even leaving their own country. Information on individuals, academic subjects, or entertainment can be accessed at anytime. Research and archiving has experienced  in a sense a renaissance. The internet can have a positive effect on education and the wider knowledge base of human civilization.  The internet can contribute the spreading of ideas and the preservation of the vast body of  knowledge.
        Internet freedom also ensures that activism can continue and get large portions of people involved in a cause. There is a negative consequence to this. Hate groups, terrorist organizations, organized crime, and cyber criminals can also use internet freedom to their advantage. The only way to counter extremism to confront it with activism and facts. Organizing has become much easier with social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. Gathering people for a demonstration could be more complicated in the past. Making contact or attracting others to a cause would take considerable time and effort. The absence of internet freedom would mean movements such as Black Lives Matter or # Me Too may not have become as large or rapidly growing. Their is a limitation to the new wave of digital activism. Short attention spans and long term plans for change seem absent. There is the greater possibility of co-option at a faster rate. Leaders of social justice movements must be aware of this and learn to use the internet to their advantage. The term hacker has been given a negative connotation. Yet, some use their skill to expose or leak information that is deliberately hidden from the public. The exposure of government abuse and surveillance has caused many leaders  to seek more restriction to hide possible crimes.

The establishment of Wikileaks has made world leaders more nervous about possible leaks to the press. Julian Assange is not being charged because he committed a heinous act, rather he exposed  US war crimes in Iraq. The release of diplomatic cables cannot be considered classified information, yet the argument has been made it compromised national security. If Assange faces prison or possible execution then it will be a major loss for press and internet freedom. Eric Snowden who was a subcontractor for the CIA exposed the US government's expansive surveillance network of its own citizens. Both Assange and Snowden have been demonized by both government and mainstream media. Being a whistleblower  in an age of internet freedom has become easier, which puts political figures in a state of fear. No longer can acts of  corrupt  foreign  or domestic policy be denied when physical  evidence exists. The Panama Papers were leaked by an anonymous source, which revealed that world leaders and the business elite were using firms for tax evasion, fraud, or circumventing international sanctions. The documents were leaked from the former corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca. When more corruption is discovered, the greater the amount of public discord grows. Controlling the narrative seeks to keep people passive and accepting of violations or government abuse of power. Some who were active and fought to keep internet freedom alive were not so fortunate. Aron Swartz was a computer programmer and activist for internet freedom. Swartz was the founder of Demand Progress, an organization dedicated to human rights, an open internet, and transparency. Aron Swartz was also involved in the development of RSS, Creative Commons, one of the founders of Reddit, and the Markdown web publishing format. Swartz had the belief that knowledge should be free and available to everyone. Aron Swartz connected a computer to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  network gaining access to academic journals. He was charged with under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Instead of facing a life sentence he chose suicide. Swartz's story is a tragic one, but makes it even more important to be aware about net neutrality and technology related issues. The new era of movements is going to have online activism being a part of their organizing strategies. 

          Internet freedom can protect free speech and expression to a greater extent than previously imagined. Discussions are more open in an online setting. The problem is that  can get more vitriolic and tribal. People have a tendency to associate both online and in real life with others who share their own views. So, a internet  user may not be getting more exposure to different ideas or belief systems. Inevitably they will seeing as the internet is an enormous entity of information. The way in which  a person articulates themselves online differs compared to seeing someone face to face. Online discussion can be more candid, at times more offensive, or too truthful for people to handle. There is a habit for some to impose self-censorship when debating sensitive issues. Certain topics are either ignored or not talked about at all. Racism, sexism, homophobia, police brutality, poverty, or corruption are topics that are avoided in common conversation. The internet through video displays the worst aspects of human cruelty and hatred. Without video sharing  websites, the public would not know the severe extent of police brutality. Generating conversation is the first step to initiating effective change. No topic or subject is off limits in digital space. Content can be violent, extreme, or artistic. The exchange of ideas and art can provide a creative outlet that no other medium can offer. Free speech can also be unlimited as well as expression. While a huge amount of  freedom can be a benefit, it comes with responsibility. Internet users mush be conscious of what they post or share both personally and professionally. Comments or pictures could instigate controversy and condemnation. Words do have power and it is proven with writing. New mediums always have a challenge or establishing appropriate conduct, but this is not a justification for censorship. Free speech and expression cannot exist under a society than wants everyone to adhere to a single mode of thought. The ability to share large amounts of data and information can ensure that free speech and expression has a future. 

       Net neutrality has been under attack and its effects could be devastating. Numerous global challenges do dominate including climate change, war, and poverty. It would seem that internet freedom should be a low priority. However, the only weapon that the oppressed or the struggling have is a platform to expose injustice. The mainstream media has failed in many regards in relation to reporting truth. Alternative media provides a more critical technique to global affairs. The corporate model focuses on establishing on narrative or  presents information based around a politically partisan spectrum. This distorts the view of the world, which is more complex than presented on television. Internet freedom allows a person to get access to different sources. The only way to foster media literacy is to see news from other countries and websites. Consumers must learn to see various media and compare. While some condemn or scapegoat the internet for particular troubles in society, the rise of technology should not be seen as a curse. Outcomes depend on how technology is used. E-commerce, online activism, and the spread of human knowledge is what the internet should be used for. A government controlled internet would be nothing more than a branch of a large propaganda arm. Regulations and laws are required to keep private data safe, stop online piracy,  and prevent cybercrime. However, laws should not be made to reduce a user's access  to information. Copyright should not be used as a means of corporations to hinder fair use. The internet was meant to be free and for everyone. The information age has enabled  the world to become a smaller place. An event that occurs on one part of the globe will effect the rest. More people will know about it and share information. Information technology has ushered in a possible fourth industrial revolution in which computers and artificial intelligence will be a part of our daily  lives.  Internet freedom is a human right, but at the moment few recognize it as such.        

     

Prime Minister Abiy Amed Wins The Nobel Peace Prize

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Amed has won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his effort to bring about a solution with the conflict with Eritrea. The two countries have been in long disputes and Eritrea fought a  war of independence from Ethiopia.  Prime Minister Abiy Amed's efforts should be seen as an example to various world leaders in regards to why diplomacy works. There still remains much to be done in East Africa. Ethiopia struggles with ethnic conflict and the discrimination of the Oromo peoples cannot be ignored. The question of wider political freedoms and reducing restrictions on the press should be major priorities. Ethnic conflict and war can easily derail progress, which must be reduced at all costs. Ethiopia and Eritrea must enhance economic and political cooperation for the sake of regional stability.Other African nations can contribute by acting as mediators in disputes. The conflict and destabilization in Somalia could also pose a problem as well as Kenya's involvement. Prime Minister Abiy Amed has accomplished much in a short period,but it is important to keep the political momentum going. Part of this program must include domestic and foreign policy reforms. 

Carrie Lam Invokes Emergency Powers

Even though the extradition bill has been terminated, the protests have not stopped. Carrie Lam the Chief Executive of Hong Kong is facing some of the most violent upheavals the city has ever seen. The youth have grown increasingly frustrated with the political status quo. Carrie Lam attempted to meet with demonstrators to have an open dialogue, but talks have failed. An important financial center of Asia is in a state of turmoil, which could have long lasting economic impact. Carrie Lam now has invoked colonial era emergency powers which may delay elections and impose curfews on the city. There was indication that harsher measures could be utilized if  violence continues. The Chief Executives actions have not gone without condemnation. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia stated that he thought it was time for Carrie Lam to resign. So far, it appears she will hold on to power however long it takes. Carrie Lam argues that if she resigns, this will not end protests or violence in Hong Kong. There could be an intention of this movement in the city to spread to other parts of China. Fears of a wider crackdown from Beijing have been rumored. Banks and businesses cannot function under such conditions. Carrie Lam has not declared a state of emergency, but it is a possibility as a means to maintain power. The protests in Hong Kong are far from being over as people demand more reform and a transparent government.    

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi States That The President Violated His Oath of Office

The impeachment inquiries are underway against President Donald Trump. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has stated that the president had violated his oath of office by seeking foreign assistance. President Trump requested in July that Volodymyr Zelensky investigate Hunter Biden's business investments and links in Ukraine. President Donald Trump may have been anticipating that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden would be his challenger in 2020. The claim is that he was using extortion as a means to give him an advantage for getting a second term. So far, members of the Trump White House have been implicated including  Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Impeachment will not result in President Trump's removal from office, seeing as the Senate is Republican dominated. There simply are not enough votes. The impeachment process may be too late. If it were to be effective, it should have happened after the Muller Report. The only way it could be a political gain is if it has a negative impact of President Trump's attempt at getting re-elected. The Republican Party still has support for his administration despite the number of scandals and investigations. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi  waited too long to take action against a president that may be abusing the office. Impeachment may not be enough to energize Democratic voters and especially the youth, women, and African American demographic. While impeachment could effect President Trump's poll numbers, it is not enough to get the Republican Party and his supporters to repudiate him.   

International Climate Change Protests

There were climate change protests in over 150 countries with people demanding world leaders to take action against a threat to the world environment. Climate change has become too damaging to ignore with rising sea levels, more powerful hurricanes, and lethal heatwaves. The polar ice caps are gradually melting putting island nations at risk. The nations of the Pacific are particularly vulnerable. Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia will face a disproportionate amount of challenge from the temperature changes and increase in sea levels. Japan, the UK, South Africa, Pakistan, and India are at risk for intensified flooding. The general lack of concern has causing young people to become more active in environmentalist causes. Greta Thunberg has become a symbol of a new generation of activists who are attempting to force governments to change policy in relation to environmental protection. While there is plenty of enthusiasm, what must be contemplated is backlash from the fossil fuel industry and their political allies.  There are still many who deny that global warming actually happens. The green house effect is a natural occurrence,but human activity has exacerbated its function. If this continues it could have a devastating impact on public health. People who suffer from respiratory or circulatory system conditions may be at risk. Governments may not have enough resources to deal with the natural disasters that are the result of climate change. Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America must collaborate on forming a global environmental protection policy to reduce the dangers that come from climate change.       

Zine el Abidine Ben Ali Has Died

The former president of Tunisia Zine el Abidine Ben Ali has died in exile. When the Arab Spring erupted in 2011, he fled to Saudi Arabia. As Tunisia attempts to change course in its politics it seems that a chapter in its history has ended. Ben Ali's leadership was authoritarian, but rarely was condemned by the EU countries or US. The reason was that he was largely compliant with their interests. This explains why there were no demands from western nations that he resign like in Libya or Egypt. He was given safe protection, but that did not stop him from having a trial  absentia . President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali was known to ban political parties on the basis of fighting Islamic fundamentalist groups.What this was really doing was stopping political opposition to his rule. It was in 1991 that he banned the Nahdah Party. Zine el Abidine Ben Ali came to power through a coup in 1987 removing longtime President Habib Bourguiba. Corruption during the Ben Ali presidency was widespread and it was suspected that his family as well as allies were embezzling public funds. It has been alleged that Ben Ali had a Swiss bank account, which was frozen after he fled the country. It is uncertain if Tunisia can get these funds back, even though it may be the country's own money. President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali's rule left  Tunisia in a state of high unemployment,poverty, and general decline. Tunisia may easily revert back to an authoritarian model if Islamist parties gain more power.       

A Condemnation of Censorship

When an argument for the support of censorship is made, it is justified advocates claim for the protection of the public. Censorship is an act of  oppression on multiple levels.It attempts to halt free speech, thought, or opposing views. At its worst it stifles intellectual curiosity.While these seem like minor violations of basic right it can escalate to another extreme. Imprisonment, persecution,  or death can be the devastating consequences of censorship. This has become a attribute of authoritarian systems, but democratic systems are not immune either. Free speech and press remain fragile when measures are taken in the name of national security. Even moderate levels of censorship could be potentially dangerous. The advocates of this type of censorship want to prevent offending various groups or people. This seems misguided. What may be offensive to one person could be different from another individual's perspective. Censoring media or print does not hide the reality of society's prejudices and intolerance. Policing language becomes more restrictive rather than a tool for social change. What this does is only silence debate. Censorship does not do the public a service. Censorship is the desire to control what people think, feel, read,or watch.
         It cannot be denied that censorship is a form of oppression. What it seeks to do is stop independent thought. When a person is no longer able to reason for themselves, they will be subject to easier manipulation. There is also an emotional response component. The information presented to a individual has to induce a certain reaction. The message could either be telling a person how to feel about a certain group or take a particular political position.  Truth and falsehood can no longer be deciphered. There is a war on critical thinking in which opposing views are either considered conspiracy theory or nonsense. Free speech continually is under threat from both political and corporate power. Populations that do not utilize critical thinking can easily be misled by various institutions in society. The ability to decipher information is more important now than ever. The average person has more access to information than at any point in human history. This may be the last bit of hope,but the ruling class of  various societies want to stop people from getting access. A population that has critical thinking skills or is educated cannot be controlled. The desire is to create conformity in thought and action. Putting people in an imposed state of ignorance is nothing new. The enslaved in the Americas were not taught to read for fear they would question why they were in slavery. Women were denied education, because it would make them question their lower status in society. Peasants were kept in ignorance of their condition in Europe to prevent revolts which would change the feudal order. Since these periods of oppression and social change, there has been improvement in conditions.   
        The worst acts of censorship come from the restriction on press freedom. Governments attempt to silence people who oppose certain policies. Liberal democracies have another issue,which involves the mass media being controlled by a few corporations. The result is a population thinking they are getting unbiased and new information when they are not. Authoritarian governments are more blatant about their disdain for press freedom. Uganda and Saudi Arabia for example have been known to persecute journalists or be involved in their disappearance. The murder of Jamal Khashoggi by the Saudi government demonstrates oppressive governments are willing to liquidate their own citizens who oppose the system. The United States seeks to imprison Julian Assange for documents he put on Wikileaks regarding the Iraq and Afghan wars. The liberal democracies seek to also silence opposing views,but it is done in a more covert manner. They simply do not have the political power and force of a dictatorship has to violate basic human rights to the same degree. The troubling aspect in liberal democracies is the abnormal amount of corporate influence on print and television news. If a group of corporations owns papers and networks they can stop certain stories from being reported that do not suit their objectives. Alternative media has arisen to counter the corporate news model, yet it is often presented as being fringe or based in conspiracy theory. Societies that pride themselves of free expression allow various views to be presented, yet the fact is media shapes one perspective.  The reader or viewer of media is kept in a state of ignorance about the reality of political and economic conditions.
         Prior to television or the internet books were a source of recording information. Prior to that oral traditions were common in various societies. Censorship has a long history of banning books or simply destroying them. The Catholic Church had a list of banned books considered blasphemous. During the Middle Ages it was possible to be burned at the stake for questioning religion. Nicholas Copernicus did not even publish his heliocentric theory during his lifetime for fear of punishment by the Church. Giordano Bruno was executed for promoting the Copernican model. Institutions that dislike the truth will always want to suppress numerous texts. If they cannot stop people from reading certain books, they are eliminated. The execution of people or the destruction of books has continued into the modern era. The 20th century did see similar behavior related to extreme censorship with totalitarian states in Europe. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Soviet Union went to obsessive lengths to prevent any written material getting to the public that challenged their ideology. A common practice in the Third Reich was to burn books. If books were not in line with ideas of race supremacy or militarism they were simply liquidated. Fiction works were also subject to book burning. Works of satire or comedy can be a threat to rulers or institutions that want to present their convictions as ultimate truths. If a lie can not be sustained, then war on truth must be waged. Public schools have even been known to ban books they deem to controversial  or inappropriate for students. Reading can give the people the power of knowledge and awareness, which many ruling elites want to prevent.
       The argument for censorship lacks credibility. The excuse is either for the instance of public safety or the notion certain thoughts  should not be spoken. Governments make the argument that press and free speech need restriction to ensure national security. What the real concern for them is exposure of possible abuses or illegal activities. The NSA was doing  mass surveillance of US citizens who had nothing to do with terrorist organizations. Edward Snowden exposed these programs in 2013 and ever since he has been demonized or prevented from explaining on mainstream media. There is no evidence that his links caused a spike in terrorist attacks or endangered people working in the CIA or NSA. The only actions that endanger national security is being in a permanent  state of warfare, not public awareness of  NSA programs. Moderate censorship may not be as severe as the national security or public safety argument, but still raises concerns. This extends into the concept of political correctness and what is deemed offensive. Advocates argue that certain language or speech should not be spoken on the basis it can offend certain groups. This can extend to ethnic, religious, or sexual orientation identification. The problem with this is that it is stifling free expression. What may be considered offensive to one person may not be to another. What is considered obscene or lascivious can also vary among individuals and culture. This attempt to create a safe space really only accomplishes the illusion of an inclusive atmosphere. Censoring films, TV,  social media, or any other medium does not eliminate racism, sexism, homophobia, or religious intolerance. The result is that discussion and debate are neutralized, because there are some topics that are forbidden to talk about. Free speech seems to be okay until somebody hears a view they do not like. Far-right extremists make the argument that they are having their free speech restricted, but their real intent is just to insight violence and hate. Moderate censorship cannot distinguish the difference between general disagreement and extremist thought. This leaves tech companies in a more precarious situation when their platforms are used for hate groups or terrorist organizations to organize. The government will just use that as an excuse for more regulation and censorship.
      Censorship has caused major damage throughout history. It has attacked the arts,sciences, and even free thought itself. Humanity has reached a new age in which knowledge and information is ubiquitous. Governments and the ruling classes of the world may not be able to manipulate or control populations like they used to. However, the threat of censorship has remained present along with disturbing new developments. Fake news is not a recent phenomenon due to the fact newspapers of the past were filled with bias or false information. The problem is that people of their own free will are believing what they read without serious examination. People may be willing to believe anything if it correlates to their opinions, even if the facts state other wise. The internet and social media provide a vast scope of various perspectives and information, but people require the critical thinking skills to decipher what they are reading. As there is a greater movement to dismantle net neutrality, this means censorship could reach a whole new level. This means users will have access to only certain websites under the direction of internet service providers. Censorship will become more prevalent in the future seeing as the average person has more access to information. The movement for more censorship must be resisted. Ignorance and philistine attitudes can be lethal to free society. Now more than ever it is the public must be vigilant of corruption and government abuse. There is no good reason for censorship,other than protecting the powerful. Knowledge was meant to be free and open to everyone. Censorship seeks to keep  people isolation and darkness.               

Kenya Bans Child Adoption by Foreign Nationals

The Kenyan government has officially banned adoption of Kenyan children by foreign nationals. This may appear to be some form of xenophobia, however cases of abuse have occurred. Corruption involving missionaries or the possible trafficking of children has been cited as a cause for concern. The issue became so prominent that President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto had a special cabinet meeting at the State House to address growing abuses. New policies and regulations are going to be enforced in association with the Ministry of Labor and Social protection. This revelation demonstrates that Kenya must do more to protect its youth. For too long the future of the continent has been taken to either North America or Europe at the expense of African nations. A temporary or extended ban may be necessary to halt longtime abuses. If new policies are to work, the foster care system it Kenya requires improvement to ensure the safety and well being of orphaned children. Foster care in various nations around the globe need more state assistance. Welfare has been given a negative connotation, but in terms of the foster care system it can help. Kenya must invest in creating a stable environment for children so that they can be successors to running the nation. More policies that revolve around public works and social programs will ensure Kenya's success. 

Houthi Rebels State They Attacked Saudi Oil Facilities

The war in Yemen seems to escalating with Houthi rebels striking with a drone at Saudi Arabia. Since the Arab Spring and the fall of  Ali Abdulluh Saleh Yemen has descended into civil war. The facilities that attacked were the Saudi Armaco Abqaiq and Khurais facilities. Saudi Arabia began large scale military operations in Yemen in 2015. The hope was to create a compliant state with Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi back in power. This attack is serious due to the fact these are the two largest oil producing facilities that Armaco has in the Saudi state. Saudi Arabia could use such an attack as a justification for more military intervention and expansion of the conflict. The news of the attack came from the Houthi news agency Al-Masirah. There claim was that it was a response to the blockade being imposed on Yemen. The UN has attempted to negotiate a peace settlement,but all efforts have failed. The conflict in Yemen is also an indirect war between Saudi Arabia and Iran for regional  influence. The fear now is a possible regional war between large Middle  East  powers, which will involved their allies. 

Remembering Robert Mugabe

Robert Mugabe who served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987 and later President from 1987 to 2017 has died. Zimbabwe's first leader passed away at the age of 95 and the continent has lost an important icon in the anti-colonial freedom struggle. White minority rule regimes at one time plagued Southern Africa, with numerous European countries and the United States being complicit in human rights abuse. Robert Mugabe fought in the Rhodesian Bush War to free the people from the racist regime and British domination. As the years progressed he became more vocal about Pan-African political ideology and asserting African national sovereignty. Mugabe's leadership was not without faults. The Lancaster House agreement was designed to return land to Zimbabweans who lost it during land theft in the 1960s by white Rhodesian farmers. The mistake was to assume that this agreement was going to be honored. Zimbabwe and ZANU-PF seemed to abandon their socialist roots instead focusing on free market reforms. This resulted in economic mismanagement and combined with sanctions from the US and UK harmed the economy. The same countries that imposed sanctions were the ones who supported Apartheid South Africa , while Robert Mugabe was actively fighting against the regime. His legacy and administration remain controversial to some, but most Africans realize he was a dedicated freedom fighter and ally to the global south. 

Kashmir Detainees : India Will not Release the Numbers

India and Pakistan could be on the verge of a major conflict. Kashmir has been a source of contention between the two countries for nearly half a century. India revoked Kashmir's autonomous status, which has become a growing crisis.  Pakistani Prime Minister  Imran Khan condemn India's decision as an act of aggression. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi argues it is for the sake of India's security. India has been detaining a number of Kashmiris who are suspected of being separatists. There is no indication that  the people detained are getting fair trials or legal representation. Human rights groups cannot gain access to certain areas and India remains secretive about the total numbers of people detained. Accusations of torture and abuse of the security forces have been made. This has taken a toll on the Kashmiri people who have relatives and friends who are imprisoned. If  India continues this policy it will only increase resentment among Kashmiris. Kashmir has been a source of tension for both India and Pakistan that it may be time to consider letting the area become its own independent nation-state. While this seems unlikely, it could prevent future pretext for the two Asian countries going to war. Such a conflict would certainly spill over into Afghanistan or the wider Central Asian region. 

The Bundesbank Warns of Recession

Germany may be facing a possible recession according to warnings from the Bundesbank. The global market may still be vulnerable with the on going trade war between the United States and China. The gross domestic product contracted in Germany three months until June at 0.1 %. Recessions happen when decreases in economic growth happen over a number of  following quarters. Chancellor Angela Merkel had assured the public that no stimulus was required to help the economy, but there are indicators that a possible crisis is on the horizon. Germany is not the only country at risk for recession. Italy, the UK, Mexico,China, the US,  and Brazil  may see economic down turns. This only becomes more complicated with Britain's exit from the European Union. The world's major economies could be seeing another global financial meltdown similar to that of 2008. Many have not recovered from downturn with chances of  stable employment and secure retirement out of reach. Germany faces a dilemma with being an exporter of goods to China and still maintaining  business relations with Russia. The United States has gradually let relations with these countries decline causing a level of turbulence in global markets. The Trump administration had added more tariffs, but made an exception for certain goods for fear it would harm US consumers during the holiday season. German automakers have trepidation about Brexit and sales have dramatically declined. Industrial output fell to 5% compared to the previous year according to German government data. Germany may be facing the worst  economic situation since the early 1920s. While it would be an exaggeration to say there will be another Great Depression, the economy will deteriorate without immediate intervention.    

Toni Morrison on Racism

Toni Morrison (1931-2019)  explains in a Charlie Rose interview about the psychology of racism. The desire to feel superior to another group is a behavior that has been a part of the American societal landscape. The melting pot only applied to white immigrants such as Germans, Italians, and Irish. African Americans, Asians, and Latinos were excluded from the wider American society. African Americans had a more harsh experience being kidnapped and enslaved to perform forced labor. The Native American experience was one of  genocide and cultural destruction. Toni Morrison however, states "I refuse to be a victim." Morrison delineates that racism can harm both the oppressor and the persecuted. To extent this is true,but the one with the power is only harmed in the sense that it distorts their reality. It does not result in death or discrimination. Toni Morrison then articulates that racism is a problem of white America and one that they do not acknowledge or attempt to understand. Morrison then discusses the delayed justice in the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The assault by Rodney King by police officers sparked a revolt by the African American community frustrated by constant abuse. The restraint shown by the community all those years was incredible considering the acts of violence directed at African Americans both past and present. Morrison's novels explored human faults and hatreds which became an inspiration to a generation of writers.  

Global Public Discord

Every where on Earth there is  either protests, uprisings, or armed rebellion. The world's population has grown more frustrated with the conditions of political, economic, and social affairs. Upheaval is not just present in unstable nations. Both liberal democratic and authoritarian systems are experiencing a new phenomenon. Global public discord has spread to all various countries and continents. While revolt, protests, and civil unrest has been a part of human history, global public discord differs in certain attributes. It is a reaction to ineffective government, the negative consequences of globalization, and the desire to see meaningful change. The populations of the world are no longer willing to tolerate abuse. The challenge remains of what a new future would look like after such changes in society are made. The new global society has reached a point of crisis, with limited solutions coming from the supranational organizations or diplomatic alliances.  There is no way to predict what all these events will lead to. There can be only speculation about such results. A more optimistic view is that a world revolution could occur finally ending the global network of oppressive power structures. A more realistic possibility is that the world could fall into a deeper state of chaos. Failed states, war, or economic turmoil could be so common that civilization may not be able to function. This may not be a collapse of civilization entirely, rather a dramatic nadir in global society. Solutions are required to address such issues, before nothing can be done. Global public discord may be a new force none which has been seen since the enlightenment, the  revolutions of 1848,  or decolonization in the 20th century. Global public discord has been enabled by technology, the rapid spread of  ideas, and the declining living standards or abuse or people around the world by a ruling elite.
     No matter what type of government most are unable to meet the needs of their citizens. Even in countries with high income fail large portions of their people. Ineffective government can be seen in both liberal democracies and authoritarian systems. For so long liberal democracy has been presented as the best form of government. This bias has deluded many to how representative government has multiple limitations. The mechanisms that are designed to give citizens power still favor a ruling elite. Special interest groups and corporations maintain dominance in democratic governments being at the top of the pyramid structure. Voting, working on political campaigns, running for office, or other forms of civic participation are unable to break this influence. The illusion of rule by the people is really a plutocracy in a majority of the western democracies. These countries of the US and EU nations are unable to solve problems of poverty, racism, or threats of violence. The chance of social mobility are limited and equality only preached as a value. Discrimination and extremist violence are still a part of these liberal democratic systems. Oppression exists in these societies, yet the model is presented as superior or the only alternative. Authoritarian systems also engage in oppression in a more blatant manner compared to liberal democratic systems. The liberal democracies are more covert in their human rights abuse. The authoritarian system of government centers around a charismatic leader , strongman, or single party state apparatus. The government has only one purpose in mind : to either expand power or maintain strict control. The reason authoritarian systems appear in mostly African, Asian, and Latin American nations was due to the legacy of colonization. Colonies were not given full freedom when under the control of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, US, Spain, or Portugal. Colonies were not democratic systems rather they were ruled directly, indirectly, or fell under a sphere of influence. The end of World War II and the Cold War, many of the global south nations adopted liberal democratic systems, but the authoritarian political structures remained intact. Through a century of political change people living in countries around the globe saw their standard of living fluctuate. Stable employment was not a guarantee nor was educational opportunities or adequate healthcare .  Gradually, this generated a reaction form the new global society.
        Ineffective government cannot protect the rights or welfare of its citizens. Its concerns are not about improving the nation, rather being involved in global power competition. Countries that are not major world powers still spend large amount on their military, not solely for the sake of defense, but prestige. The harm comes with the reduction of social services to the public. Corruption and mismanagement become catalysts for  revolt. Around the world global discord is taking shape in the forms of protests which could remain peaceful or become dramatically violent. The rule of Omar Al-Bashir over the last years of the 2010s was coming under challenge from protests. When the coup occurred in 2019 ending a the 30 years of his regime, the military assumed that protests would subside. They continued with the Sudanese population demanding change to their political system.The military's refusal to hand over power to a civilian government resulted in suspension from the African Union. This is only a beginning to want appears to be changing into a larger national movement. Algeria's longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika decided not to run for another term in 2019, when protests grew bigger. The announcement did not placate Algerians wanting a transition in leadership . He was not allowed to finish his term and forced to resign. Elections are planned to be held to elect a new president, yet there is little satisfaction from the opposition and Algerians protesting. Hong Kong's protests over a bill which would extradite residents to mainland China for criminal offenses, sparked outrage. Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam eventually stated that the bill will be terminated. However, the protests have not stopped and it appears there is an intention to have the movement go beyond the boundaries of Hong Kong. The fear is that the one party system in China will be challenged. These are examples of how global public  discord can spread fast and remain persistent. Liberal democracies are not immune for it.
       France, the US, and the UK are experiencing fall out from global discord. The yellow vest protests in France were a reaction to the government's reform in the tax codes. Rising fuel prices and the cost of living become more of a burden for the working and middle class French citizen. They have even called for the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron. The United States has multiple movements which include Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, and a new wave of women's rights activism in response to the Donald Trump administration.The Occupy Wall Street movement has lost momentum, even though economic inequality has become more pronounced. Black Lives Matter continues to confront police brutality and a corrupt criminal justice system, yet still faces challenges from courts. Reforms in policing, prisons, and drug policy have been halted under a more conservative administration. Scandals and acts of racism have encouraged people normally not active to use means of  unconventional participation in the United States. The UK since 2010 has had a anti-austerity movement. This currently has been overshadowed by Brexit, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants done by October of 2019. The United Kingdom since the European debt crisis has struggled with unemployment and harsher terms related to fiscal austerity measures. People are becoming more disgruntled with the state of the economy, politics, and social conditions of their nations. Liberal democracies used to pride themselves on the notion their societies were stable with limited political turbulence. Europe has to struggle with supranationalism and fiscal austerity policy that many citizens reject. The limited desire or inability of governments in both democratic and authoritarian systems to create functional societies  has created a backlash.  This has materialized into movements that could go on until a consensus is reached or fade away. Their success depends on whether or not the people who are active have developed a political consciousness or substantive ideas. There has to be an objective beyond just removing officials or reforms; there may need to be a major revolutionary change.
         Globalization has caused some of the discontent seen around the world. While there have been positive benefits such as cultural exchange and wider access to mass communication the economic repercussions have been more devastating.  Transnational corporations have generated global public discord in ways people do not realize. Outsourcing labor, which many companies in both Europe and North America have done has allowed for an international exploitation of labor. Simultaneously, employment and economic opportunities have left the developed nations. The developing nations are working harder with no increase in wages. Even in the developed nations wages remain stagnant under conditions of economic growth. This means that the average person does not have enough disposable income to keep the global economy stimulated. Decline in material conditions can be the start of global discord. The high cost of living, higher education, and healthcare force  people to become more more active. Globalization by definition is the international influence of corporations over world affairs. It has caused disturbances both in relation to politics and the hopes of social mobility. The middle class may shrink or be phased out under the strains of globalization. People who were is stable financial standing could fall into poverty. The more that living standards decline the higher amount of global public  discord. The counter argument is that globalization provides goods and services that allow the world population to live comfortably. The flaw of this reasoning is that inflation and  combined with low wages prevent a portion of people from achieving this. Moderate regulation of the free market has not made it fair for all of its participants. Neoliberal capitalism and supply side economics has become the dominant model, which puts transnational corporations above other institutions in society. International trade favors the richest nations, with the developing nations attempting to gain a level of economic independence.  The idea for nations in such a situation was to accept structural adjustment programs  to attract investment. Policies by the World Bank and IMF have not resulted in economic prosperity or growth for the global south. This is the most visible failure of  the economic element of globalization. The global financial crisis pushed the world population to the brink and subsequently global public discord expanded rapidly.
         The problems of society have become more visible with mass media exposure and wider internet access. Citizens of the world have a strong desire for change rather than the status quo. The authoritarian systems are in a fragile position with populations demanding more rights and freedoms. The  liberal democracies suffer a crisis of  political centrism and moderate levels of consensus building. The negotiations between political parties in North American and European states normally produces an agreement that most of the population regardless of political affiliation rejects. The election cycle brings a shift between liberal and conservative  governments, which over a series of decades has become erratic. Leaders in the liberal democratic states no longer have visions for the future, rather empty promises of change or reform. The citizens desire effective solutions to societal problems. Multiparty systems are no better at doing this compared to the authoritarian systems. The voters then may seek a maverick or be confused into electing a person who labels themselves as one. Other either take another alternative. The extreme is the embrace of xenophobic nativist nationalism with right-wing populist overtones. The less dangerous choice is voting for political parties that do not have a huge following or chance  of gaining office. The image that is presented is one of modern day Polybius sequence. The Latin American nations are trapped in this condition with many countries in the region resembling oligarchies. Only a few socialist states such a Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia are attempting to form a political alternative in a wave of more conservative governments in the region. Minor alterations in laws or new legislation will not be enough to end the malaise that world populations have for multiparty politics. The authoritarian systems have adjusted to world changes by making excuses that their actions are in the name of national security. The advantage this political  system has is that policies can be enacted faster, because there is no debate or discussion about them. Political or social change is not immediate, but people grow more vexed if they perceive that nothing is being done. The desire for longstanding solutions to economic, political, and social problems is what the world population wants. Empty promises or minor reforms have caused people to lose faith not only in political parties, but the institution of government itself.
         Global public discord can culminate in particular courses of events. The current spread of ant-government protests could morph into armed rebellion if conditions deteriorate further. Armed resistance has already occurred in some countries. Syria's civil war occurred when a section of the population protested and were met with force by the army. The people armed themselves and terrorist groups entered the country with another agenda in mind. Myanmar has been in a state of ethnic conflict through most of the 20th and 21st century. Even as the country attempts to move closer to a civilian and democratic government multiple ethnic groups still engage in combat with one another. Although European countries and North America are not in such dire situations, polarization will hinder any chances of efficient government. The citizens of these nations will either disengage completely or be willing to follow a person who is more extreme in relation to the political spectrum. The effect could be the corruption of systems of government designed to protect civil liberties, civil rights, and monitor political power. The least possible alternative is the one that would be the most revolutionary. The rise of global public discord may see a rise in anarchism. This political philosophy is often misunderstood or feared. Confused with the political condition of a failed state or civil disturbance, anarchism advocates limited or no government with the emphasis on voluntary association. Society would be cooperative, without the force of government power structure. Achieving such a revolution would not be possible under current circumstances. Consciousness must be raised to a certain level, rather than just organizing people around a set of objectives. If this is not done, movements can either vanish or descend into extremism. Discontent, feelings of hopelessness, and rage are becoming too common among members of different political systems. Global political discord is growing, yet many world leaders do not recognize or comprehend this phenomenon. The biggest challenge is creating a sustainable future and managing global public discord. Rapid transformation of society and the growth of  inequality has made global public discord more prevalent.