Global Inequality and More 3.0

Global Inequality and More 3.0 explores various socio-economic and political themes, emphasizing democracy, capitalism, and inequality's impact on society. Through diverse lenses like literature, TV shows, and historical analysis, it critiques systems of power, economic ideologies, and their implications on freedom, ethics, and societal stability.

Democracy Capitalism Inequality Socio-Economic Systems Media and Culture Ethics in Society Political Movements Economic Ideologies

The hottest Substack posts of Global Inequality and More 3.0

And their main takeaways

Trump, the state and the revolution

2098 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trump Revolution Inequality Government
  1. Trump has changed a lot since his first term. He feels more experienced and might want to leave a lasting impact.
  2. The current changes in the government are seen as a revolutionary effort, similar to past movements that aimed to restructure the state.
  3. There’s a struggle for control within the government, as many people in power have different beliefs from Trump and his supporters.

Gold, volk and IQs

2551 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Inequality Neoliberalism Racism Populism Intellectualism
  1. Hayek's later ideas strayed from classical liberalism and opened doors for distorted interpretations of his work. This led to a rise in beliefs that emphasize race and ethnicity over universal principles.
  2. The alt-Right's claims about intelligence and ethnic success are flawed. They ignore historical and structural factors that contribute to economic achievement and focus too much on innate differences.
  3. Many contemporary thinkers are more about making money than sharing true intellectual ideas. They profit from promoting unrealistic views rather than pursuing genuine understanding and solutions.

How the mainstream abandoned universal economic principles

3654 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Neoliberalism Globalization Inequality Trade policy
  1. Mainstream economists have stopped following the old rules of globalization, like free trade and open borders. This change is happening because many people are unhappy with how these rules have worked in their lives.
  2. Current economic actions, such as raising tariffs and trade blocks, go against the principles of globalization that were once strongly supported. Now, even respected institutions are shifting their views on these issues.
  3. There is no clear global economic framework anymore. Different countries are acting based on their own interests, leading to confusion and a lack of universal rules for trade and economy.

“To the Finland Station”

2627 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Nationalism Neoliberalism Inequality History Ideology Trump
  1. The post suggests that Trump represents a shift away from global neoliberalism, which dominated since the 1980s. It argues that this new ideology is still taking shape and its full impact won't be clear for years.
  2. Neoliberalism is criticized for creating wealth inequality and pretending to support equality while actually benefiting a ruling class. It is seen as a false promise that is now coming to an end.
  3. The new political landscape might resemble 'global Caesarism,' which may keep lower classes content with limited political participation while benefiting elites. This approach is different from traditional political parties and appears to offer fresh cynicism.

To be young, perchance to dream

951 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
💾 History Political History Cultural History Economic History Social movements Nationalism
  1. The historical view of the assassination in Sarajevo changed over time depending on political climates. Initially, it was seen as justified but later viewed negatively as political perspectives shifted.
  2. The Young Bosnia movement was driven by a mix of national unity desires and social injustices. Many members came from impoverished backgrounds and sought change, inspired by various revolutionary ideas.
  3. Literature and poetry significantly influenced the Young Bosnia activists. They saw themselves as heroes and believed in dramatic actions because they felt the political system was against them.
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The ideology of Donald J. Trump

2446 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
  1. Trump's ideology is unique and involves aspects from various ideas, making it hard to label. People often get confused because of extreme opinions about him.
  2. He strongly believes in mercantilism, viewing trade as a competition where winning means having more wealth, which influences his policies, especially towards China.
  3. Trump's nationalism focuses on limiting immigration rather than ethnic or racial issues, showing a preference that reflects many right-wing views in Europe today.

Devant la guerre

1087 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics International relations War Studies Historical Analysis Political theory Peace Studies
  1. E. H. Carr's book highlights how the international system can be unfair and lead to conflict. He sees similar patterns in past events and today's world.
  2. Carr argues that for peace to last, stronger nations need to share power and resources with weaker ones. If they don't, it creates resentment and can eventually lead to war.
  3. The current situation with Russia shows parallels to what happened with Germany before World War II. Both situations involved dissatisfied powers that used force to change their circumstances.

Would Lenin have approved of the IMF?

1328 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
💰 Finance Economic Policy Monetary Systems Global Economy Financial Institutions
  1. The IMF has a specific role in ensuring countries maintain fiscal discipline and avoid excessive borrowing. This role is seen as necessary for economic stability, regardless of whether the system is capitalist or socialist.
  2. Critics often misunderstand the IMF's core mission, which is about discipline and accountability in fiscal matters. Austerity measures taken by the IMF are not inherently bad; they are meant to promote responsible economic behavior.
  3. If Lenin were alive today, he might actually support the IMF for its emphasis on fiscal responsibility and international trade management. He believed in the need for structured economic governance, similar to what the IMF provides.

Trump and the Rise of Asia

770 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Leadership Globalization Inequality International relations
  1. Western elites feel confused and uneasy with Trump's approach, much like Eastern European elites felt with Gorbachev. They see him as changing the norms that they are used to.
  2. European leaders are struggling to adapt to changes brought by Trump. They tend to view his presidency as a temporary disruption rather than a challenge to their rule.
  3. China's rise is shifting economic power away from the West, and many in the Western middle class may feel a decline in their global status as Asian economies grow rapidly.

Before the police arrives: Bookstores on Saturdays

1132 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Bookstores Reading Memoirs Classics Social Commentary
  1. Allocating a fixed amount for book purchases can help maximize pleasure and choice.
  2. Exploring bookstores on Saturdays armed with book reviews can lead to thoughtful decisions on what to buy.
  3. Exposure to diverse literary works, especially during intellectually stimulating periods, can strongly influence individual interests and perspectives.

Three steps to freedom

860 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Communism Nationalism Democracy Autocracy
  1. The process of secession in Communist federations typically involves three steps: building a sentiment of national grievances, gaining acceptance from the communist party leadership, and making a decisive break from federal control.
  2. Nationalist movements in the Soviet and Yugoslav republics followed a similar playbook of exploiting perceived grievances like economic exploitation or cultural rights violations to justify secession.
  3. The unraveling of Communist federations into independent republics often led to territorial disputes and conflicts, overshadowing democratic principles with movements for self-determination.

James Burnham’s managerialism eighty years later

558 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🚌 Education Theory History Politics Economics Ideology
  1. James Burnham proposed the concept of 'managerialism' as a replacement for capitalism, where managers rule while capitalists take a passive role.
  2. Burnham's predictions were proven wrong, but his analysis of the shift towards managerialism and the role of state in the economy remains relevant for reflection.
  3. Despite Burnham's inaccuracies, his ideas on managerial revolution and the potential for alternative economic systems in the future can still offer valuable insights.

Sodom and Gomorrah

498 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Film Art
  1. The last volume of Proust's book 'A la recherche' is like a theater piece with interwoven social and sexual elements.
  2. Pasolini's film 'Salò or 120 days of Sodom' did not focus on social context but rather indulged in gratuitous violence.
  3. Pasolini's film aimed to shock the audience, contrasting with the earlier approach of situating vices in a social context.

“Succession” and the end of the illusion of ethical capitalism

890 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV Series Capitalism Ethics Society Morality
  1. The idea that capitalism can be successful and ethical is shattered by the portrayal in the TV series 'Succession.'
  2. The distinction between a society following legal rules versus one that is truly ethical is highlighted, emphasizing the need to minimize the use of power in both markets and within companies.
  3. The blurring of moral lines between personal and professional spheres in 'Succession' serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of commercialization and amoral behavior in our society.

Capitalism unchained

830 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Capitalism Democracy Authoritarianism Socialism Fascism
  1. Democracy does not necessarily come with capitalism and may even be destroyed by it.
  2. Unbridled capitalism leads to social instability empowering right-wing parties.
  3. Success of Western capitalism in mid-20th century was influenced by pressure from Soviet Union and left-wing parties, which led to a period against normal capitalist tendencies.