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GLOBAL POLITICAL THEORY

DECLINE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE RISE OF AUTHORITARIAN IDEAS

"The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom" by Evgeny Morozov (Paperback)
In the West, there has been a surge of optimism at the emancipatory role of the internet. Yet Evgeny Morozov (journalist and social commentator) counters that there is a darker side to internet freedom. He argues that people have overlooked the internet's power as an Authoritarian tool. Morozov argues that dictators now have the internet at their finger tips to threaten dissidents, crush opposition and further monitor the private activities of their people.

"Democracy Incorporated: Managed Democracy and the Specter of Inverted Totalitarianism" by Sheldon S. Wolin (Paperback)
By now many people are familiar with the idea that Democracy is in danger. Yet Wolin suggests an even more radical idea - that the country is no longer a democracy at all. He argues that instead, we could be living in a sort of inverted Totalitarianism. A system in which economic and state powers unify to control the masses. Wolin makes it clear that American Totalitarianism is not comparable to a system like Nazi Germany. Yet it is a system that has its own pathologies and unchecked power. In an endless quest for economic growth and the fight against terror - the politics of inverted Totalitarianism become justified.

CHINA

China and the Authoritarian Model: The Relationship Between Economic Growth and Economic Freedom (Academia.edu Report)
The conventional wisdom in international relations has been the best model for political growth. Yet this report finds the opposite and claims that authoritarian regimes maintain high economic output and are actually better than their Democratic counterparts at achieving economic growth.

China's Next-Generation Nationalists (Carnegie, 5-6-08)

Russia and China Chart their own Course, their Political Elites are Pursuing an Alternative to the Prevailing Western Model (Financial Times, 1-8-08)

China's Neo Fascist System Becoming a Model to Many  (Washington Post, 5-20-07)

Red China, Inc.: Does Communism Work After All? (Spiegel Web Site, 2-27-07)
The significance of China's political system in the world.  A very thought-provoking article from Germany's Der Spiegel on the paradox that today's modern, supposedly "free enterprise" "democratic" "new order" is based on a totalitarian state that has a closer relationship in terms of political and economic theory to Mussolini's Italy than modern democratic systems.

RUSSIA

How Putin Invented The New Authoritarianism (Forbes, 1-28-14)

Why Putin Is Still so Popular in Russia (The Atlantic, 7-23-13)
Russians seem to prefer a strong, authoritarian state to the weak government and economic chaos they experienced under Yeltsin.

Russia's Managed Democracy (History Today, 2009) 
Past experiments with liberal democracy have led Russia to the brink of civil war, economic collapse and the plunder of state resources. Daniel Beer explains why most Russians feel happier with a strongman firmly in control.

INDIA

Narendra Modi and the rise of India’s neo-fascist Far-Right: The facts

Why Narendra Modi’s Election Threatens Democracy in India (The Nation, 5-23-14)

Is India's New Prime Minister a Neo-Fascist or a Reformer? (New Republic, 5-16-14)

Six Questions for Narendra Modi (Counter Currents, 4-22-14)

Journey towards soft fascism (The Times of India, 3-29-14)

JAPAN

Major film in Japan glorifies Kamikazes. 
Japan, unlike Germany, has not totally repudiated its actions in World War II.
  Indeed, Japanese Prime Ministers worship at the Yasakuni Shrine where many of Japan's World War II leaders are commemorated in spite of vehement protests from nations like China and Korea.  (Reuters Web Site, 5-12-07)

Just recently, a new film has been made with the active support of Japan's popular Governor of Tokyo that glorifies the Kamikazes.  This article speaks for itself.

 Arming Japan with Nuclear Weapons
Columnist Charles Krauthammer, an advocate for the use of torture against terror suspects, writes that the new right-wing government of Japan,
 which embraces Japan's militaristic past, should be armed with nuclear weapons in response to the testing of a small nuclear device by North Korea. 
 This despite the fact that Japan is already protected by treaty under the U.S. nuclear weapons umbrella.  (Washington Post, 10-20-06)


QUESTIONING U.S. GLOBAL EMPIRE AND WESTERN HEGEMONY

Commentary: U.S. fiscal failure warrants a de-Americanized world (Xinhua Net, 10-13-13)
After World War II, The United States emerged as the economic and military powerhouse of the world. Since then, the United States has been spreading its values around the globe. Not only does the United States have military bases in almost every country around the world, but they have also gotten involved in several regional conflicts and tampered with the economic policies of several countries abroad. While America is claiming to bring peace and prosperity to the rest of the world, many countries are beginning to question America's right to rule. As economic and social problems begin to unravel in America, other countries are beginning to wonder if the world needs a new center of gravity.

Running The World; Asia Makes Reform of International Institutions A Priority For The West  (The Economist, 7-3-08)

DMITRY ORLOV: AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION, IS THE U.S. NEXT?

When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 90's, many Americans were smug. Surely the failure of Communism was proof that Democracy and Neo Liberal Economics were the world's best systems? Yet the collapse of the Soviet Union may just be a mirror of what the United States can expect in the near future. This is an argument made by Dmitry Orlov, who was an eyewitness to the Soviet collapse. In his writings, Dmitry paints a picture of what life was like in Russia after the political collapse. Much like Russia in the 80's, America currently finds itself in a political crisis, with a declining economy and a waning reputation world wide. Orlov explains what will be necessary for survival after the collapse: mitigation, adaptation and opportunity. If we are to survive a possible disaster, we will need to be flexible and put aside our cultural baggage in the wake of new political systems to come.

BLOG

Club Orlov

BOOKS

Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Example and American Prospects

THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BLOG: PREDICTIONS OF COMING ECONOMIC COLLAPSE IN AMERICA

The "official" unemployment numbers do not reflect the real situation in America. The reality is that there are less jobs now for Americans than when this century first began. A key factor in unemployment is the off-shoring of millions of jobs that will not be coming back. There is also the replacement of workers with technology. Yet there are predictions that America has not seen the worst of its economic crisis. There are predictions that this whole situation is about to get even worse.

READ THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BLOG

THE LONG EMERGENCY: SURVIVING THE CONVERGING CATASTROPHES OF THE 21ST CENTURY

BY JAMES KUNSTLER

The Long Emergency is a book that explores the consequences of a world oil production peak, coinciding with the realities of climate change, rampant disease, water scarcity, global economic instability and warfare that will cause trouble for future generations.

"The Long Emergency" Free PDF File

Kunstler's Website


BOOKS ON THE SUCCESS OF MODERN EUROPE

Europe's Promise: Why the European Way is the Best Hope in an Insecure Age

The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream

The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy

Were You Born on the Wrong Continent?: How the European Model Can Help You Get a Life

Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century


EU AND EUROPEAN UNIFICATION

Europa - Gateway to the European Union

Could the EU eventually have one army? (Euro News, 5-24-13)

Europe's most powerful countries call for elected EU president (The Telegraph, 12-18-12)
"Germany, France and nine other of Europe's most powerful countries have called for an elected European Union president and an end to Britain's veto over defense policy in a radical blueprint mapping out the continent's future (Bruno Waterfield)."

European Leaders signed a new treaty to reshape the EU and streamline decision-making  (CNN News, 12-13-07)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Wants to Create European Naval Unit (Spiegel, 6-16-08)

Politicians Urge Removal of US Nuclear Weapons From Germany  (DW-World, 6-23-08)


BOLIVIA ESTABLISHES RIGHTS FOR MOTHER EARTH

Who has a right to life? Only human beings? In the west there is this idea of "human rights," that all humans have a right to life. Yet what about human responsibilities? Do humans get to kill off all other lifeforms on the planet? Some call this progress. However, there are others with a different vision. Many around the world are beginning to see the present world order as a form of suicidal madness.

In Bolivia, the government has created a vision of life. Evo Morales, the current President of Boliva, has put forth laws to protect the biological rights of nature and life on the planet.

Bolivian Law on Nature's Rights

Bolivia at UN


ANCIENT EARTH BASED WISDOM EMERGING AROUND THE GLOBE

As consciousness about the environmental problems we face today grows around the globe, many are beginning to return to ancient beliefs with roots in indigenous, earth based practices.

Europe's True Identity: Christian or Pagan? (Hindu Human Rights)
Some state that Europeans can find a common ground in their Christian ancestry. Yet this article makes the claim that their is more commonality in Europe has deeper and more common roots in a Pagan past than a Christian one.

The Lost Tribe That is Trying to Save The World (The Irish Times)
The Kogi tribe in Columbia makes a film to warn the globe about the coming threats of rising temperatures, more frequent storms and increased violence. This film is called Aluna.

Russia's Pagan Revival (Souciant, 12-17-12)
A first hand account from a priest observing the revival of an ancient belief system in Russia

Rebirth of Paganism in Africa.  A very interesting article from Germany's Der Spiegel showing that Christianity is fading.  Certainly the record has been a sorry one in recent years. Congo and Rwanda were the African nations with the highest percentage of Christians.  Click here for article.  (Spiegel Web Site, 2-7-07)


NORWAY'S HONORABLE AND DIGNIFIED RESPONSE TO TERROR

Honor and Dignity in the Face of Evil and Horror: Terror in Norway 7/22/11 (World Future Fund)

In July of 2011, Norway experienced one of the worst terrorist attacks on their country in recent times. Almost 100 Norwegians were killed by an armed extremist of the radical right. Yet out of this terrible evil has come a response that should inspire the world. Norway's government did not respond with more hate or more panic. Instead, they remained true to their values. Read the link above to see a beautiful speech made on the part of Norway's Prime Minister. His response was to meet this terrorist attack with "more democracy, more openness and more humanity."


CHRIS HEDGES: A JOURNALISTIC VOICE OF TRUTH

Chris Hedges in one of the leading journalistic voices today in questioning the current American Establishment as well as the "Liberal Left." In many of his articles and speeches, Hedges criticizes the Left for not doing their job: defending the poor, the working class, women, minorities and the environment. Hedges argues that instead, many of the prominent politicians on the Left have sold out, which has lead to a complete failure in attempting real government reform.

Chris Hedges has spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has worked for a number of prominent news organizations, including National Public Radio and The New York Times. He even won a Pulitzer prize in 2002 for his coverage of global terrorism. Read his articles below.

Inverted Totalitarianism (You Tube Video)

Iraq and the Failure of the Liberal Elite (Truth Out, 4-1-13)

The Hijacking of Human Rights (Truth Dig, 4-7-13)

The Myth of Human Progress(Truth Dig, 1-13-13)

Stand Still for the Apocalypse (Truth Dig, 11-26-12)

This Time We’re Taking the Whole Planet With Us (Truth Dig, 3-7-11)