Trying to Understand the World

The 'Trying to Understand the World' newsletter provides in-depth analysis on global political, economic, and social dynamics, focusing on the complexities of contemporary challenges, the breakdown of traditional systems, and the implications of technological, geopolitical, and philosophical shifts. It emphasizes resilience, practical action, and the need for a historical and cultural basis in governance.

Global Politics Economic Systems Social Dynamics Technological Impact on Society Philosophical Perspectives Military and Defense Organizational Culture International Relations Political Philosophy Cultural and Historical Analysis

The hottest Substack posts of Trying to Understand the World

And their main takeaways

When The Music's Over ...

12 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Military Ideology International relations Strategic Planning
  1. The West may not be prepared for the potential outcomes of the conflict in Ukraine, and the ideological and strategic differences may lead to significant consequences.
  2. It is important to understand the distinction between tactical, operational, and strategic levels of warfare and how they can impact the overall outcome of conflicts.
  3. Russian military capabilities and strategies are showcasing superiority in various aspects over Western equipment and approaches, leading to a potential shift in global perceptions and defense strategies.

Rules, Rules Rules

7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education Management Institutions Rules Organizations Common Sense
  1. Organizations often create more rules and regulations when they lack a clear sense of purpose and long-term goals, leading to a focus on detail rather than overall objectives.
  2. The abundance of rules and bureaucracy, especially in modern society, can hinder problem-solving and practical decision-making, as well as replace traditional customs with overly complex regulations.
  3. The Professional and Managerial Caste (PMC) proliferation of rules can result in controlling mechanisms rather than fostering productive environments, ultimately leading to dysfunctional organizations and discontent among staff.

The Diversity Paradox.

8 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Purpose Power Success
  1. The Diversity Paradox signifies a situation where despite increased diversity in organizations, systems at all levels are failing to function effectively. More than just numerical diversity, organizations need to focus on excellence and purpose to thrive.
  2. In today's society, success is often measured by power, money, and formal status, but this focus on external markers can attract the wrong individuals and prioritize image over actual capabilities.
  3. To operate successfully, organizations and individuals should strive to fulfill their true purpose, ensure excellence, and avoid succumbing to a culture of ego-gratification and narcissism that can lead to dysfunction.

A Postcard From The Far Side of Despair.

9 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Action Hope Resistance
  1. People have given up hope for a better future and are engulfed in a sense of despair and disillusionment.
  2. Facing situations without hope doesn't always lead to despair; learning from real-life examples of resilience is crucial.
  3. In times of crisis and hopelessness, focus on practical actions within your control and act with kindness and understanding.

The Power Of Absent Things.

6 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Ukraine History Crisis Management Diplomacy
  1. Understanding the history, symbolism, and previous political decisions is crucial to analyzing current political statements and actions.
  2. Political decisions and actions are heavily influenced by a complex accumulation of past statements, commitments, and decisions, creating constraints on present actions and limiting future possibilities.
  3. In times of crisis, decision-makers often operate in a state of confusion, following preset narratives and sedimented beliefs, unable to adapt to changing circumstances or consider alternative policies.
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The Newer World Order.

8 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Diplomacy United Nations Geopolitics
  1. The international system as we knew it is breaking down due to dysfunction and changes that require careful analysis.
  2. The inability to imagine alternatives and the incapacity to understand current global changes are key themes in understanding the current world order.
  3. The future world order will involve a more distributed power structure with various countries working together on common interests, leading to gradual changes in how political crises are managed.

This Changes Everything!

6 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military technology
  1. New technology does not automatically change the nature of conflict, but its application in specific contexts can have an impact.
  2. The balance of power in warfare can be influenced by the correct use of technologies, human factors, and asymmetric capabilities.
  3. Asymmetrical objectives and different levels of technological advancements among countries can lead to defense being more cost-effective than aggression in military scenarios.

I Hate My Job And I Want To Cry.

5 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Professional development Mental health
  1. Indirect approaches can often be more effective than direct attacks in problem-solving.
  2. Designing and running organizations where people are happy is simple: prioritize simplicity, transparency, fairness, and teamwork.
  3. Having some degree of control over your job and work schedule can make work more bearable and fulfilling, even in difficult circumstances.

Will The West Eat Itself?

6 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Society Literature Music Film Art
  1. The extractive mindset is prevalent in modern Western societies, leading to trivial novelties and compulsive mining of the past.
  2. Authors like Jean Gebser and Iain McGilchrist shed light on the dominance of rationality over holistic thinking in the West.
  3. Derivative thinking is pervasive across various sectors such as economics, philosophy, literature, music, cinema, and politics, leading to a lack of genuine innovation and a potential societal breakdown.

Dealing With Foreigners ...

4 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Diplomacy International relations
  1. Dealing with foreigners is more complex than it seems, involving various relationships and dimensions beyond traditional foreign policy.
  2. Government relations between states involve expertise from different departments and experts are crucial in negotiations and technical matters.
  3. International relations are influenced by a multitude of factors, including domestic politics and media, leading to intricate and often unpredictable outcomes.

One Way Or Another ....

3 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
  1. Revenge and justice have a deep, primitive appeal that can clash with legal norms in society.
  2. Law and justice are not always the same thing, and our desire for revenge can challenge objective legal procedures.
  3. The tension between our atavistic desire for punishment and the need for legal procedures can degrade political discourse and lead to a blurred line between justice and revenge.

We Are All Civilisational States

3 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🌐 International Politics Liberalism Tradition Culture History
  1. The concept of 'civilisational states' challenges the idea of universal political systems and societal norms.
  2. Liberalism promotes individual rights and rational organization of society, but may overlook tradition and collective identity.
  3. Political structures need a shared cultural and historical basis to survive and be effective in governance.

Into the Waste Land

3 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🌍 World Politics Political Change Revolution Power Structures Leadership
  1. Discontinuous political change requires a group with a common purpose, a clear vision, and the resources to act.
  2. Successful political change historically depended on intermediate structures like trade unions, political parties, and religious institutions.
  3. Current Western political systems face a crisis of credibility, with a risk of falling apart without a clear replacement in sight.

War Is Complicated.

3 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🌍 World Politics War Military Defense Mercenaries Strategy
  1. War is incredibly complex, involving strategic objectives, sectoral policies, and defense capabilities.
  2. Equipment alone does not equate to capability in warfare; there is a need for proper training, integration, and maintenance.
  3. The concept of modern mercenaries in warfare is often rooted in misconceptions and unrealistic expectations of their capabilities and impact.

Understanding What's Happening in France.

3 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics France Politics Protests
  1. The main issue in France revolves around Macron's obsession with pension reform, despite multiple pressing problems like rising cost of living and unemployment.
  2. The French political system is in disarray, with traditional parties declining, and Macron consolidating power by weakening opposition parties.
  3. The controversial pension reform pushed by Macron has sparked widespread protests and potential for escalating unrest in the country.

Honesty: What's In It For Me?

2 implied HN points • 10 May 23
  1. Integrity and honesty are fundamental for the functioning of a government and public service.
  2. Traditional values like a vocation and service to a greater good promote honesty and discourage corruption.
  3. Liberalism's focus on individualism can conflict with maintaining integrity in public institutions, leading to a reliance on rules and regulations instead.

A Short Service Announcement.

2 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
💼 Business Writing Subscription Support Content
  1. The author will continue writing essays, but doesn't plan to introduce a paid tier for extra content.
  2. A paid tier will be introduced for voluntary support, but it won't offer additional content.
  3. The author appreciates the support and will continue to produce one free essay a week.

One Of My Essays In Dutch.

0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Social Issues Political Ideologies Government Democracy Power Dynamics
  1. The origin of the terms 'Left' and 'Right' in politics goes back to the French Revolution, based on the distribution of power and ideologies.
  2. The distinction between Left and Right evolved from political movements to organized political parties over time.
  3. There is a fundamental difference between the values and goals of traditional Leftism and Liberalism, with Liberalism emphasizing individual freedom while Leftism focuses on equality and collective well-being.

Another Of My Essays in French

0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Violence Ethnicity Repression Conflict Nationalism
  1. Society tends to favor binary distinctions and oppositions, which can limit understanding of complex issues.
  2. Violence has been an intrinsic part of human existence and has been used pragmatically to achieve political objectives throughout history.
  3. The Nazi ideology was based on rationalizing violence as a means of survival and security, a dark example of the consequences of extreme nationalist and exclusionary policies.