Saturday, July 30, 2022
Nancy Pelosi Intends To Visit Taiwan
Friday, July 29, 2022
The Rajapaksas Could Be Losing Their Grip on Power
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Viktor Orban Disparages Racial Integration
Saturday, July 23, 2022
The Appearance of MonkeyPox Virus
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Is The World Worth Saving ?
People concerned about the human condition ask to themselves a rather unpleasant question. The efforts, activism, and various movements are a never ending cycle. The economic, social, and political crises facing the world appear to be permanent fixtures. Attempts at reform, revolution, or just a state of stability are not attainable. Activists who were trying to reach a goal find themselves still trying to improve society years later. A person who has thought intensely about this comes to a realization. Is the world worth saving ? The thought might be cynical, but it cannot be avoided in conversation. The long fights or struggles just result in another. The opposing view is that this must be done to ensure for a better future. Others dismiss the question stating that the contemporary period is an improvement over the past. Progress can be gained at certain stages and then revert to a more repressive system. The tools that the citizen has are protests, voting, or armed revolt . Whether it is revolution or reform the political system tends to go back to am oppressive system. The laws that ensure protection are repealed or new barriers are erected. It does not matter if it is an authoritarian regime or a liberal democratic one. Much of the world's problems could be solved with cooperation among nations, economic partnerships, and a devotion to diplomacy. Few nations have a desire to do so. Human behavior prevents much of this from happening. The global political structure does not allow for this to happen. Then it must be acknowledged certain elements humankind cannot control. The ability to destroy civilization has increased significantly and the world wants to accelerate the process. Reformers, revolutionaries, and activists are fighting a war which is futile. The world might not be able to be saved from the economic, social, or political stresses it faces.
The majority of the population has not reached a degree of political consciousness for long term change. Even those who comprehend certain problems are not inspired to take action. The citizens will continue to either vote for the same political parties or adhere to the dominant political ideology. Trying to expose new alternatives is either met with scorn or accusations of fringe beliefs or conspiracy theory. A section of the population might want to see change, but are not willing to contribute what is required to make it happen. Those who support the establishment o status quo want to actively prevent progress. These people either have a level of privilege or status they do not want to relinquish. Others could be so indoctrinated that an oppressive system is deemed the natural order. A revolution does not require a large amount of people. Famous revolutions of the past did not have the support of the majority. The American, French, Russian, and Mexican revolutions were not dependent on large numbers. Using certain tactics and raising awareness about their cause brought them to power. Persuasion is the key to success into building political consciousness. The modern movements for political and social change have not been able to do this effectively. What ever the cause, it quickly vanishes becoming nothing more than a trend. A long lasting ideology and active movement has to materialize for creating a desirable future. The people of the world are either not ready or able to reach a degree of political consciousness to make that possible. Access to information or new ideas can be difficult to get to. This obstacle can be too insuperable to overcome.
The presence of world conflict is never ending. War destroys society and people. Peace is the only solution to a world coming closer to more perilous conditions. The advocates of human rights understand why it must be stopped. The majority of the world's population might not favor it on the basis of ethics, the economic costs, or other reasons. Yet, war zones continue to expand. World leaders encourage it by proxy wars, regime change, and intelligence operations. The erroneous assumption was that f there were more democratic governments, war would be less likely. One model of government will never stop conflict. Racial, national, and religious hatreds are too powerful. The major world powers continue to exploit weaker nations for their own benefit. The desire for endless conflict could bright about the fall of civilization. The efforts of international bodies stopping global conflict are limited. The failure of the United Nations to promote international peace demonstrates how ineffective it can be as an institution. The UN has at times enabled hostility at particular countries. Peacekeepers to an extent are nothing more than an occupying force in war zones. Nations appear to follow policies that ensure humankind's destruction in a distant future. Nuclear weapons and persistent tension among the most powerful nations becomes a growing concern. An international peace movement does not exist to counter these developments. Citizens of various nations either support a war effort out of fear, ignorance, or thinking it is a patriotic duty. If war is ever going to be challenged, people must stop believing it is a normal state of affairs. National security has become a permanent state of warfare cabinet. That model has been replicated by most countries. The process has become to vast and complex to halt. Either soldiers refuse to fight or mass demonstrations have to be held to force change. The unfortunate reality is that most states are held together by some from of force. The military and law enforcement are instruments in enforcing a state' s will. War and armies are never going to disappear. The threat remains constant, causing destabilization around the world.
Activism has a limitation. Non-profit organizations , philanthropy, and protesting are not reducing the series of global concerns. There are activists who are still protesting the same issues years before. The fact can be a serious discouragement. Conditions can even revert back to a less favorable state. Progress always is out of reach. Two perspectives are held in regard to combating the crisis facing humankind. Either incremental approaches or acceleration to the objective are advocated. Reformers tend to favor the incremental approach to change. Those with a more revolutionary position want acceleration. When economic, political, and social problems become so intense, gradual approaches are not going to be helpful. An emergency demands a rapid response. A unified plan and collaboration among various groups is required. Solidarity is a practical method among those seeking solutions to many societal problems. The obstacle is that each organization o group has its own objectives. When their goals are met, the alliance falls apart. There are common grievances, but it all are not oppressed to the same degree. The coalitions that are built whether political or organization based are temporary. When the coalitions are operational they are not as efficient as they could be. The cycle of rise and collapse plagues movements. Activists have also gotten into the habit of allying with establishment figures they assume are sympathetic to their cause. The politicians manipulate them to get votes, but never advance legislation that supporters desire. Then a faction of activists lose sight of their own agenda. The limitations of activism hinder it from preventing major catastrophes.
A general feeling of frustration and hopelessness has spread. The sentiment prevents a resistance to materialize. A charismatic leader can inspire the masses, yet the momentum dies when they are gone. The struggle against apathy become a bigger adversary to defeat. At some point the world's problems become so numerous it would be pointless to do something. Corrupt governments have been a fixture of civilization through out history. Climate change continues to be exacerbated, that nothing will reverse the damage. The response from range from lack of concern to willing ignorance. One has to wonder if humankind wants to survive. Unfortunately .enough people have to suffer to motivate an insurrection against the established order. Such a development will not occur fast, if ever. With no movement or leaders those struggling have no options. The networks of communication are more vast than they have ever been, yet people are more isolated. The new phenomenon is the loss of community and the loss of a common welfare. This is not the manifestation of individualism, rather an embrace of selfishness. Some just do not care about other people and just want to consume. The upper class elite are the major culprits of this behavior. The money, land, and its resources are being horded by them at the expense of average people. The world is filled with violence, hate, and unrelenting cruelty. The most powerful inflict harm with little consequence. The despair induced by horrible environments produce the frustration that could project in mass violence. A consistent cycle can be seen with few solutions to neutralize it.
Looking at the collective behavior of nations and their societies, the world is in a critical condition. The power structure becomes more potent having influence in all aspects of life. Media, government, and law remain under the domination of an elite. The policies that are enacted by them are accelerating harm to the the world and the public. The tools which should help to expose and condemn such actions have become allies to power. The media does not scrutinize leaders or corporations engaging in questionable practices. Most rather support the status quo or uphold the ideas of the establishment. Citizens who live in a country in which they cannot select their leaders have no choice. Those who can select them are at fault for deterioration of their society. The cumulative mass of problems explains a level of dysfunction too common in various countries. Few are immune from them. Economic decline, violence , racism, and corrupt government are becoming regular fixtures. The only logical conclusion is that it is a wasted effort to improve a world so broken. The only problem with surrendering to the oppressive forces or just ignoring it completely is that it will always seek victims. The luxury of apathetic existence or capitulation are no longer options. A war is being waged against the average citizen whether they are compliant or resist. The question then shifts to matters of survival. The world at some stage will end as all things do. Saving it depends on how much people are willing to change and make it a better place.
Saturday, July 16, 2022
Accusations of Sexual Harassment At The United Nations
Friday, July 15, 2022
Wildfires Spread Across Europe And North Africa
Saturday, July 9, 2022
President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos Blames Economic Crisis on Sonangol Oil Firm (2016)
At one time Angola was a Marxist-Leninist political and economic system. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Angola allowed for a market economy to emerge. The new policy did not bring about prosperity, when President Jose Eduardo dos Santos encouraged foreign investment. Angola became one of Africa's largest oil producers, but most Angolans did not see improvement related to income or an increase in the standard of living. The economy fell into a worse condition by 2016. He stated that Angola was broke and blamed it on mismanagement by the state oil firm Sonangol. It was apparent by this point a level of corruption was responsible for stolen wealth or missing funds. The appointment of Isabel dos Santos as chairwoman was designed to cover-up criminal acts and ensure that the Santos family could continue to enrich itself. During that year it was a struggle to generate funds for essential imports. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos left a legacy of kleptocratic government, failed free market policies, and nepotism.
Friday, July 8, 2022
Shinzo Abe Has Been Assassinated
Thursday, July 7, 2022
The Boris Johnson Set To Resign
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Uganda Discovers An Estimated $12 Trillion Worth of Gold Deposits
Uganda has the potential to be one of Africa's richest nations. Gold deposits worth $ 12 trillion have been discovered. Combined with oil Uganda is in a position to see impressive economic growth in the coming years. What should be done with the new found wealth is that it goes to public education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. Doing so ensures a stable country and a rise in the standard of living. The persistent economic myth is that Africa is poor. African countries are not poor, rather their wealth has been stolen or their countries exploited by European nations. Corrupt and authoritarian regimes use wealth to empower themselves, rather than the citizens. Inflation is having a negative effect on the global economy and Uganda is not shielded from it. The Ugandan Central Bank had to increase its key interest rate. The public has to see economic improvement to share in the new found wealth. The boom in mining is positive economic news for East Africa. The Ugandan shilling could go up in value if it becomes backed by gold. Extracting the full potential of natural resources can ensure a prosperous country. The key is to have rational policies and competent economic management.
Saturday, July 2, 2022
Growing Protests In Libya
Friday, July 1, 2022
The End of Roe v. Wade