Sad
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

The end of western democracies ?

So as the US stock market starts to weaken, is this the end for the strong dollar ?
With the end of free trade world wide is that the end of world economic growth ?
With the end of strategic alliance across the Atlantic is that the end of world peace ?
With the birth of a new great depression is that the start of runaway global warming ?

These things are structural changes in the world order that will haunt us forever unless soultions can be found and I see nothing in the current situaiton to give us hope of a brighter future - the attitude of the world has to change before thing can get better. The attitude of the world is not changing, positions are just becoming more entrenched and hostility is rising. How can we the people stop this ?

In a world dominated by democracies - how are we letting dicatatorship rise and triumph again ?
In a world of shrinking resource and overcrowding of habitable lands, how can democracies based upon continued economic and personnal wealth growth even survive ?
This looks like its very much the end - sad to say - and we let it happen on our watch.

Sorry to sound pessimistic but "united we stand, divided we fall."
Top | New | Old
ArishMell · 70-79, M
European cand many other countries already trade with the BRICS ones (and each other of course), but President Trump's bull-in-a-chnia-shop approach wil cause problems for averyone - but he seems not to realise that - nor care anyway.

End of democracy?

Well, democracy based on economics and personal wealth alone is a fundamentally flawed because it bases the system on money rather than people. Rather, modern democracies work by constitutional equality of political, religious and cultural rights to all, irrespective of personal means; strengthened by those with little means being helped by those with more.

The problem lies in that last clause. We are not all "equal" by personal wealth, and if those with the least feel overlooked, ignored or not helped, they are very likely to turn to anyone promising them a "strong government" supposedly offering a better life economically despite becoming more and more constricted.

Then of course, when it doesn't they find it far harder to rid themselves of that "strong government".

.....

Climate change and resource depletion?

I don't think depressions brought climate change. Instead, wealthy times create much greater consumption of fuels, and of non-fuel minerals. Vitally though, alongside the sheer wastefulness within wealthy societies, the "developing nations" rightly want such necessities as reliable, safe water, sewerage and electrical services, and decent homes. Services and homes we in the "developed" world too easily take for granted... until a breakdown in any of them hints that we should take nothing for granted.

The threat of anthropocentric climate-change was first raised more than a hundred years ago, but based on the contemporary rate of burning coal, the universal fuel then, and it placed the danger-point so far ahead it was easy to ignore. Anyway the early 20C was marked by a touching faith in "taming Nature", with rapidly-evolving science and engineering forecast to solve all of Mankind's troubles. No-one is a seer so no-one could foresee some of these devolpments bringing their own problems.

However, this unbridled growth increasing climate-change and resources depeletion, could indeed threaten democracy in their own ways.

Minmising climate-change may need moves many people find unpleasant to contemplate because they may infringe their right to choose and use fuels as they wish. Shrinking availability of materials makes owning "stuff" more expensive and difficult. The alternatives would still alllow the critical freedoms but the "stuff" may become too expensive for many people.

Now, those are not themselves threats to democracy. We still have the constitutional rights but some aspects of our personal lives may be restricted by direct regulation or by increasing cost. Unfortunately, rather than accepting the inevitability of a cosy life taken for granted, and working with it, many people are likely to see it as "They" removing their freedoms for the sake of it. This will affect the well-off more because they tend to have hobbies needing costly equipment like boats, a lot of driving, and holidays in pricey foreign resorts.

.....

To summarise, strong democracies and their economies should survive the present crises within, and caused elsewhere, by the USA's present leadership; but the entire world irrespective of political systems faces far greater threats that may need very uncomfortable solutions.

In a democracy, those solutions will not or should not reduce our basic, constitutional, political, religious, economic and cultural rights. They may though need legislation, or will bring strong economic restrictions, impinging on our personal lives in material ways. We'd still be free to do the things we enjoy but no longer able to afford it.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Captain Thankyou. I must admit I've always found economics hard going, and when mixed upp with politics it's even more confusing!
Captain · 61-69, M
@ArishMell It is all about ocnfidence isnt it - money is - or was - just a piece of paper that was an IOU
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Captain Confidence... Trust.... Good point.
Kwek00 · 41-45, M
Q:
How can we the people stop this ?

A:
[...] the attitude of the world has to change before thing can get better.

The world... still includes "we the people".

... The question is, what is going to be the new formula AND is that going to be adopted by enough people to make an impact and create some new form of stability? ... Who knows? 🤷‍♂

For me personally... we should at least try to rid ourselves from our current liberal zeitgeist, concepts like: freedom, liberty, free market capitalism (which is not compatible with our type of democracy), individuality, individualism, free will, our hunger for material wealth, ... in our narratives need to get a review according to data that was gained in the last 200 years. Without throwing away liberal ideas like: rationalism, individual freedom and the rights of man.

What I do know... is that society (or societies) don't change overnight. And if they change overnight, it's verry often because of a bloody trauma. And only if, after the trauma, there is room and time for self-reflection, instead of pointing out scapegoats that relieves the members of society that got us into the bloody mess from their responsibility. Our societies often use scapegoats and make ourselves guilty of it, but with the rise of far-right politics, it has moved from a sin too a modus operandi. Which will make it hard to progress for a while.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Kwek00 · 41-45, M
@Captain
In the 80s, diffrent segments of the conservative movement over there supported Reagans' neoliberal policies to get out of the late 70s issues that keynsian economics produced. Reagan himself hung the congresial medal of freedom, around the neck of a guy that was totally okay with global free trade and illegale migration. Because illegale migration is economically more beneficial for the employers (and thus the economy) then when you have citizens working for you that have all kinds of rights.

In the 90s and 2000s, all those low waged jobs that part of the middle class were cheering for, because it made their goods and services cheaper were supported by importing cheap products. Wallmart delivered cheap products from low-waged countries with abysmal protection for workers and no rules to protect their natural surroundings.

And since 2015, the same conservative networks are blaming all the consequences of these actions... on foreign nations. Nations that they literally pushed to go along with the neoliberal plan whenever they had the opportunity to do so. Not only that, they captured part of the media bubble to spread lies for the last 40 years, and now you have fools like Jack running around. Totally captured, ignorant and an adult with an ego that isn't capable of any real learning or selfreflection. Jack votes for people that want to bring the jobs back to the US, by creating similair working conditions and with total disregard of the surroundings that society needs to live in. All because some rich group has educated him, by saying that this is the right way to go and that all that has happened is the fault of everyone they teached him not to like. And the only winners, are going to be those that are going to milk the cheap laborers that they have no regard for anyway. Jack is a usefull too, that will be thrown away the moment he doesn't bring any earnings in anymore.
in10RjFox · M
So as the US stock market starts to weaken, is this the end for the strong dollar ?
With the end of free trade world wide is that the end of world economic growth ?

Strong dollar is a myth. New non aligned money will take over. No Nations money should be the global currency like USD now. So USD will just be within USA.

It's not the end but to be seen as new world order. Each economy will have its own local standards and not world standard as dictated by USA / UN /WTO/WB
in10RjFox · M
@Captain The blunder was when Nixon started issuing currency for currency.. like he issued a billion for a billion to float, as at that time USD was in high demand and soon every nation was forced to follow suit. Like how gold is a commodity, currency too became a pseudo commodity, thereby leading numerous official scams through banking channels.

All countries are already bankrupt and they are just escaping by floating more and more, heading for a disaster.

A good democracy is what is for one is for all. When an individual can go bankrupt but not saved by lending afresh, how can a bank or nation escape?

Interesting thing is there is no recourse.
Captain · 61-69, M
@in10RjFox Yes but its a frigtening consequence because its means everyone wil defualt and everyone will go bust so some solution will have ot be found , and gold of course will rise like a rocket - but that doesnt mean it will buy more stuff. It just means you wont be abe to buy stuff with money
in10RjFox · M
@Captain yes. When all currencies are worthless, what would sell or buy with?

Solution is new currency that will phase out the old.
GerOttman · 61-69, M
Yep! This is it, it's all over. Canned goods and ammo, that's my investment strategy now.

Starting work on my new bunker next week!
GerOttman · 61-69, M
@ArishMell K-Bar combat knife! And has anyone seen my napalm recipe? I had it around here somewhere...
GerOttman · 61-69, M
@Captain Not allthat wise, ordered the bunker on Temu...
Captain · 61-69, M
@GerOttman Good luck with it.
Baremine · 70-79, C
The answers to your questions are found in the Bible. We are close to the Lord's return.
Captain · 61-69, M
@Baremine Oh Im intrigued, tell me more. I thought he was thinking of retiring ?
Baremine · 70-79, C
@Captain I heard that also. I had heard about the Catholic prophecy. Doesn't mean it is true as that is a man made prophecy and open to error. But this pope has done a lot of things that would lead one to believe it might be true. He has tried to unite Christians, Muslim and Jews into one religion., this preparing the way for the antichrist and the new world order. One world government. Watch the middle east. The antichrist will probably be a Syrian jew. Antichrist has to be Jewish or Israel will not accept him. So that illuminates Obama .
Captain · 61-69, M
@Baremine OKI'll take your word on most of it - definitely Jewish tradition would only accept a Jew as a prophet and a false prophet would have to hide with a Jewish identity.
Captain · 61-69, M
Absolutely - but one thing hes not is unable to count - it is Greenland he really wants... and whatever it is that the USA and Russia know is up there in a soon to be ice free Artic as well as control of the "northwest passage". All that money on nuclear submarines wasn't wasted. He's not subtle and he hides things in the best place to hide them - plain sight
Captain · 61-69, M
Spot on beermeplease
It is probably the end of the dollar long term.

And it is the end of economic growth in the so called west. BRICS has been growing for 4 straight years.

The end of idiotic strategic alliances will likely lead to more peace, not less.

Global warming might actually see a brief improvement if enough businesses crash. But realistically the west are not the countries down the most to deal with the issue.


75% of all dictatorships are propped up by the USA alone. The "good guys" have been keeping them around and supporting them to do the dirty work abroad so people can live comfortably in the imperial core.


The concept of infinite growth is based on a completely irrational idea and has been in need of change for a long time.

I am more worried about what the "west" will do to lash out trying desperately to maintain the status quo.
Captain · 61-69, M
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow Surely thats acocunted for if you calculate on uisng market cap ??
@Captain All you have to do is look at crypto to see how market capitalization is almost entirely make believe.
Captain · 61-69, M
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow true - and look at the dollar bill - bno tthat we have any of those anymore - but what does it say on it ? Its just an unbacked IOU, infact all money is just IOUs isnt it ?
Captain · 61-69, M
Yep another big jolt lower today. Thats even less money available for the development of new technologies to compete against the very industrial giants Trump is trying to keep away by using tarfiffs. Trump obvious paid attentio to lessons unelarnt when he did his project management studies (at infant school).
Captain · 61-69, M
@Briggett Your all glass half empty arent you !
Briggett · T
@Captain got you hedge your bets. Just a realist at best.
Captain · 61-69, M
@Briggett Got ya
Briggett · T
How much pain can you stomach before the pots and pans come out.
Because it’s going going to get bumpy, fasten your seatbelt. Because it’s going to be a very bumpy ride.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
@jshm2 Hilarious that you think Israel is “colonial” when they control an area the size of New Jersey, while China is economically colonizing Latin America and Africa. Of course, there’s no Jews in China.
Captain · 61-69, M
@LeopoldBloom Yes, economic colinisation doesnt involve ethnic clensing but I cant be bothered to go there. Nostra Damus reportedly gave a bloke called Netanyahu top nilling in the quatrains is all Im going to say... Econonic colonialism was practised by Rimans Brits the US and now China. It does have some benefits if done well but I don't think we did it very well or the US. I think the Romnas made a fair job of it really. Of ocurse their are alternative models of world dominatioon as exercised by Genghis Kahn and Donald J Trump called bullying. There are lots of Jewish peoples in Russia as far as I know - is that right ??? None in China - don't know. The world needs a good model to work towards. I don't think any of the old religeons give a model of meritocracy - but I see elements of it in what the Galilean Fisherman had to say about things. Th eol dreligeons do give a model for social conscience and charity - I dont see that anywhere in DJTs make up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
It’s not been 24 hrs and trump admin is reporting 4 countries already on the phone wanting to drop tariffs all together..

🍿
Captain · 61-69, M
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout Its about the cost of everything and the value of nothing. I can tell you come form an accountancy background. Americas economic strength has been because of its high p/e ratios feeding into high research and development. The tariffs will kill the revenue of the big corporates and the p/e ratios will come down - already happening and countries will go elsewhere for their tech and their hardware - its already happening - and Trump's traiffs will make it worse. Countires that take and don't give like France never succeed. Adam Smith the weath of Nations - and don't forget - when the US turns its back on the world, we always get a world war, and that's not good for anyone.
Lila15 · 22-25, F
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout Blanket tariffs are bad, but on again, off again tariffs are worse. No company is going to make a long term investment if they don’t k ow what policies will be in place next week.
Captain · 61-69, M
@Lila15 Well said, comopanies need stability. Im so glad (sacrasm alert) that DJT is in charge and we weill have a clear and consistent plan with no u turns for the length of his Presidency (tee hee).
Captain · 61-69, M
Just to say the Nasdaq is now hititng -5% for the day - just saying.
GerOttman · 61-69, M
@Captain Big dips!! Hang onto your cash, buying opportunities are coming.
Captain · 61-69, M
@GerOttman True enough- Trump is the master of market manipulation by u turn. I can see he would play that card again here. He's already done a Russia u turn and they littered his last presidency
Captain · 61-69, M
Eropean banks down another 3% at the open - timber !
in10RjFox · M
Yes.. new democracy system or true democracy system coming soon.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054768/0/en/Call-for-President-s-Rule-for-Singapore-Before-GE2025-Global-Citizens-Manifesto-Exposes-Singapore-s-Political-Reality.html
Captain · 61-69, M
@in10RjFox Interesting
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
Is the world "dominated" by democracies? Russia, China, etc., seem to have a lot of influence, too. :(
DJT's antics might be the end of us anyway.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
jackjjackson · 70-79, M
“Free trade” hasn’t existed for decades. The sky isn’t falling tiger.
Captain · 61-69, M
@jackjjackson Why do you keep batitng on about that - what DJT is doing is totlaly out of proportion to what anyone eles ehas done and similar to the sorts of things done during the 1920s - bit of ocurse that all way beyind the end of your nose which is as far as you ae prepared to look I think this conversation is pretty pointless really. I think you need to go and have a sit down and pray your net investments dont hit zero.
jackjjackson · 70-79, M
You’re right. This has been a complete of my time. I haven’t read a fact or benefited at all from your claptrap. Adios muchacho. The end. @Captain
Captain · 61-69, M

 
Post Comment