Gideon's Substack

Gideon's Substack explores global and domestic political dynamics, focusing on conflict, democracy, and societal issues. It examines ideological conformity, geopolitical tensions, and the impacts of political decisions, offering insights into the complexities of allyship, governance, and the consequences of ideological and military conflicts on societies and international relations.

Political Analysis Geopolitical Conflicts Democracy and Governance Societal and Cultural Issues Ideological Trends and Impacts International Relations Military Strategies Legal and Judicial Perspectives Human Rights Economic Conditions and Policies

The hottest Substack posts of Gideon's Substack

And their main takeaways

What Makes Something Progressive?

31 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Progressivism Terrorism History Global Conflicts Imperialism
  1. The term 'progressive' is often misunderstood and used as a catch-all for right-thinking attitudes about social causes, but the determination of these attitudes is crucial.
  2. Progressivism is centered around history and the belief that it has a discernible direction, influencing one's stance on various issues based on which 'side' of history they are on.
  3. The idea that history has a definite direction and a global left is debated, with a call to question preconceived notions and the importance of understanding the complexity and nuance of world politics.

Robert Hur Just Gave Democrats An Off-Ramp

42 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democrats Special counsel Election Polls
  1. Special counsel Robert Hur hinted that President Biden may not be mentally capable of criminal conspiracy, posing a challenge for the Democrats.
  2. The Democrats face the task of convincing the public that Biden is fit for the presidency amid doubts about his capacity raised by Hur's comments.
  3. The Democrats have a tough decision ahead on whether to stick with Biden for the election or make a change based on public perception and past electoral outcomes.

The Dilemma of the Pro-Palestinian Voter

28 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Foreign Policy Political strategy
  1. Arab-American and Muslim-American voters may not naturally align solely with left-wing ideologies and may have diverse concerns beyond foreign policy.
  2. For single-issue activists, it can be rational to have a strict litmus test and not support any candidate who does not meet that criteria.
  3. The approach of pushing a single issue to promote progressive causes may inadvertently strengthen an extremist and dysfunctional opposition, which is not ideal for a broad left-wing movement.

9-0

23 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Court rulings Election
  1. The Supreme Court unanimously decided that Colorado cannot remove former president Donald Trump from the state's primary ballot under the 14th Amendment.
  2. A 5-4 majority ruled that only Congress can lay the groundwork for applying constitutional provisions to individuals running for office, emphasizing democratic legitimacy.
  3. The decision highlights the importance of democratic accountability and the need for consistency in the Court's rulings to maintain legitimacy and protect American democracy.

The Fire This Time

19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History Politics Society Activism Identity
  1. Suicide as a political gesture is rooted in despair, not necessarily mental illness, reflecting a belief in necessary but impossible change.
  2. Individuals resort to political suicides like self-immolation due to a sense of powerlessness and lack of practical options, illustrating political despair.
  3. Alternative forms of extreme political actions, such as hunger strikes or suicidal terrorism, stem from hope or the belief that radical actions can create change, contrasting with the hopelessness of political despair.
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The End of Allyship

116 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Diversity Conflict resolution Policy Making Democracy
  1. The concept of 'allyship' may have reached its end due to complexities and conflicts that arise when trying to be allies with different groups.
  2. Being an ally often requires adopting language and views of one group, which can create enemies with another group, leading to division and conflict.
  3. Institutions may need to move away from 'allyship' and focus on making decisions based on what they believe is right, rather than following the demands of particular groups.

Ethnic Cleansing and the Stakes in Gaza

42 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Ethnic Cleansing International Conflict Humanitarian Crisis War Crimes
  1. Ethnic cleansing has taken place in various regions with significant impacts on population demographics.
  2. The issue of ethnic cleansing in Gaza is being debated and its consequences are being discussed.
  3. The potential for ethnic cleansing in Gaza raises concerns about global perceptions and the future of the post-WWII liberal international order.

Freedom Isn't Free: Taiwan Edition

33 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Taiwan China United States Democracy
  1. Taiwan re-elected the Democratic Progressive Party, maintaining its stance on defending sovereignty and deepening ties with allies.
  2. Allies like the United States and European countries have expressed support for continuity and peaceful resolutions in Taiwan.
  3. China's response to Taiwan's election results, especially regarding sovereignty issues, remains uncertain and could impact regional stability.

That Was the Year That Was

31 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Film Media Art Literature Entertainment
  1. 2023 was marked by ominous trends like record-breaking heat, rising emissions, and declining global fertility.
  2. International news in 2023 highlighted distressing events like conflicts in Israel and Darfur, and challenges in Ukraine.
  3. The year 2023 also showed a mix of optimism and pessimism with economic successes, declining crime rates, and advancements in technology.

Eyeless in Gaza

62 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Diplomacy Peace Leadership
  1. Israel's military and intelligence services failed to anticipate and respond effectively to Hamas's invasion from Gaza.
  2. Hamas's motive for the attacks was to show Israel as weak, leading to potential escalation of conflict.
  3. Criticism is directed towards Netanyahu's leadership for internal political divisions, contributing to the current crisis.

The Party Decides Wrap

16 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Democracy Law Opinion President
  1. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the Republican primaries and endorsed Trump, showcasing democracy in action
  2. The Republican Party tends to close ranks behind one candidate, as seen with the endorsements of Trump's rivals
  3. It's important for the GOP to end the primary charade early and for the country to understand the election dynamics to make informed decisions

The Scale of Venezuela's Exodus

50 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Refugee Crisis Political Impact Humanitarian Crisis
  1. Comparisons can be made between Venezuela's exodus and historical events like Ireland's Great Hunger and the Syrian civil war.
  2. Venezuela's population has seen a significant exodus, similar in scale to the crises of other countries, even without a major war.
  3. The mass emigration from Venezuela reflects a collapsing hope within the society, raising concerns about the future of the country.

The Cost of Ideological Conformity

50 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Wokeness Identity politics
  1. Ideological conformity can lead to a narrower coalition and provoke counter-formation.
  2. Choosing affiliations based on anti-woke sentiments can influence political decisions and party memberships.
  3. Enforcing ideological conformity can alienate those who agree and even push them towards the opposing side.

Is Retribution Illegitimate?

38 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Justice Ethics Free will Authority
  1. Retribution as a basis for a justice system is considered illegitimate by some, who argue that justice systems should focus on reducing harm, not retribution.
  2. Punishment should be justified on pragmatic grounds, such as minimizing harm and preventing future harm, rather than retribution for its own sake.
  3. Retributive justice can be seen as a form of restorative justice, aiming to heal societal breaches caused by crimes, but may need to balance with considerations of rehabilitation and societal impact.

Axis of Frenemies

31 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Alliances Geopolitics Diplomacy International relations Global Influence
  1. America's alliance system has evolved over time from wartime to containment of Soviet Union to unclear objectives post-Cold War.
  2. Many of America's alliances are maintained more for influence and strategic reasons rather than deep common interests.
  3. The US is brokering peace agreements between Saudi Arabia and Israel to maintain influence, despite unclear benefits for America.

American Meta-Fiction

11 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
📚 Literature Fiction Satire Character Study
  1. The film is more subtle and complex than portrayed in the trailer
  2. The heart of 'American Fiction' is a character study of a Black man struggling with recognition
  3. The ending raises questions about authenticity and success in the film industry

Break the Barrel To Get Rid Of the Serpent?

42 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Israel Democracy Identity
  1. The importance of facing enemies and engaging in debate within a community to prevent destruction.
  2. Knowing when to make sacrifices to eliminate a threat, even if it means destroying something precious.
  3. The challenge of navigating tribal identity conflicts in politics and the potential consequences for democracy.

Send It Up. Watch It Rise. See It Fall.

19 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
📚 Literature Analysis Critique Classic
  1. Reading difficult and dense novels can be a challenge but also rewarding.
  2. The themes and tone of a novel may not resonate with all readers due to personal taste and changing societal perspectives.
  3. Paranoia as a theme in literature can reflect changing cultural landscapes and impact how a work is interpreted.

Testing the Vibes Hypothesis

14 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Public Perception Demographics Economic Analysis Political polarization
  1. A New York Times poll revealed a disconnect between people's perception of the economy and the actual economic data.
  2. Biden voters, especially those under 45, have a more negative perception of the economy compared to older voters.
  3. Possible explanations for the perception divide include demographics, housing costs, rising expectations, and political polarization.

Growth Is Up. So What's Up With the Economy?

19 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
💼 Business Economy Inflation Perceptions Data Fiscal policy
  1. The American economy is performing exceptionally well post-pandemic, surpassing other developed countries.
  2. There is a notable disconnect between people's perceptions of the economy and the actual economic data, leading to various theories and concerns.
  3. Factors such as the pandemic hangover, inflation, wage discrepancies, and fiscal uncertainties contribute to the complex economic landscape, influencing consumer sentiment and political outcomes.

Home News Wrap

38 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Director Writing
  1. The author has recently finished filming their debut feature film.
  2. Directing the film was a challenging but rewarding experience.
  3. The author will be sharing more about the film during the post-production process.

The Fall of the House of Yes

14 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Literature Performance Adaptation Drama
  1. The play Richard II is a tricky one to stage due to its political and poetical language.
  2. The current production of Richard II at Stratford Festival portrays the title character as the king of Studio 54, engaging with a contemporary interpretation.
  3. The adaptation of the play attempts to revalue Richard as queer, Black, and fabulous, but the original flaws in the character as a king remain evident.