As discussed in “Guns, Germs and Steel”, a sense of nationhood goes along with civic progress and fixation on tribal politics goes along with famine, corruption and, ultimately, crimes against humanity. The social contract that makes Western nations richer and safer is vulnerable. In South Africa, the social contract has already been lost in urban areas. In the USA, violent Marxists like the BLM leader promising blood in NYC’s streets if their mayor-elect dares to resume the status quo ante are out to finish the social contract in this country. Michael has talked about the leftists who want to empty the jails of non-political prisoners and fill them with what the MSM calls “Trump supporters”. My friends have been fed the lie that only Marxism can protect the USA from a right-wing coup… and they are wavering. If they choose BLM
thugs over “Trump supporters”, the social contract will die here the same way it did in South Africa.
Great article, Michael! Incredibly effective concluding paragraph. Wealthy nations need to stop staring at the mirror and attempting to mold other less powerful nations in their own image.
Years ago, a friend of mine in grad school talked about the first American ag specialists… including her Dad… that worked to improve native African hogs instead of trying to introduce American hogs that could not adapt to local conditions.
Excellent article. I really enjoyed your common sense approach. You also brought your own personal first hand experience and kept high rhetoric out of it. Very refreshing! Thank you.
It is morally bankrupt to ask poor nations to remain mired in poverty while wealthy nations continue to emit much more per capita. And that is ignoring the CO^2 load past generations have put into the atmosphere, which allowed for the wealth enjoyed today.
As discussed in “Guns, Germs and Steel”, a sense of nationhood goes along with civic progress and fixation on tribal politics goes along with famine, corruption and, ultimately, crimes against humanity. The social contract that makes Western nations richer and safer is vulnerable. In South Africa, the social contract has already been lost in urban areas. In the USA, violent Marxists like the BLM leader promising blood in NYC’s streets if their mayor-elect dares to resume the status quo ante are out to finish the social contract in this country. Michael has talked about the leftists who want to empty the jails of non-political prisoners and fill them with what the MSM calls “Trump supporters”. My friends have been fed the lie that only Marxism can protect the USA from a right-wing coup… and they are wavering. If they choose BLM
thugs over “Trump supporters”, the social contract will die here the same way it did in South Africa.
Here's a great piece on that very topic: https://greenwald.substack.com/p/democrats-are-profoundly-committed?r=jjjuy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source= . We are at war and the sooner we all wake up to it, the more peacefully we can approach it.
Great article, Michael! Incredibly effective concluding paragraph. Wealthy nations need to stop staring at the mirror and attempting to mold other less powerful nations in their own image.
Years ago, a friend of mine in grad school talked about the first American ag specialists… including her Dad… that worked to improve native African hogs instead of trying to introduce American hogs that could not adapt to local conditions.
I agree. It is a very clear summary of the entire article.
Excellent article. I really enjoyed your common sense approach. You also brought your own personal first hand experience and kept high rhetoric out of it. Very refreshing! Thank you.
It is morally bankrupt to ask poor nations to remain mired in poverty while wealthy nations continue to emit much more per capita. And that is ignoring the CO^2 load past generations have put into the atmosphere, which allowed for the wealth enjoyed today.