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

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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

When Was the Last Successful Revolution?

26 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Recent protests in Iran and China are widespread and challenging the regimes
  2. Successful revolutions historically involved military support or civil war, not just popular protest
  3. Existing oppressive regimes in Iran and China might be hard to overthrow through popular protest alone

Altruism Wrap

26 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. The collapse of FTX highlights the dangers of unregulated finance.
  2. FTX's business model thrived on speculation and bubbles in the crypto market.
  3. The marriage of post-2008 financial system disgust with the California ideology led to a culture of risk-taking and wealth accumulation.

Putting a Price on Parenthood

28 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
  1. The global fertility slump is a cross-cultural phenomenon with complex causes.
  2. Factors impacting fertility rates include economic conditions and societal norms.
  3. Compensating parenthood at a market-clearing price may be necessary to address declining fertility rates.

A Stranger Among Us

26 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
  1. Hasidic schools in NY struggle to meet state education standards
  2. Hasidic community leaders resist changes that threaten cultural insularity
  3. Debate arises on the value of anti-liberal enclaves in a liberal society

What Does a Ukrainian Victory Look Like?

26 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
  1. The speed of Ukrainian advances has surprised many but hasn't drastically changed viewpoints on the conflict.
  2. Anxiety about the aftermath of a Ukrainian victory echoes past experiences with war strategies lacking clear end-goals.
  3. The importance of achieving peaceful coexistence post-victory and considering the unchanged national interests of Russia.

Blame Yeltsin, Not Gorbachev

26 implied HN points • 31 Aug 22
  1. Russia needs to rewrite its narrative of post-Soviet collapse, shifting the blame from Gorbachev to Yeltsin.
  2. Gorbachev aimed to save the Soviet system through openness and restructuring, but ultimately failed.
  3. Yeltsin's actions in dissolving the Soviet Union set the stage for Russian revanchism, contrasting with Gorbachev's attempts at reform.

Empathy for the NIMBY Devil

26 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
  1. People are often conservative about their homes and neighborhood
  2. Advocates of housing reform should consider how policies directly benefit individuals
  3. Deregulation can face political challenges as it may not be clear how it benefits everyone

Anxieties of Faith and Faithlessness

21 implied HN points • 07 Oct 22
  1. Yom Kippur is a day for self-reflection and prayer
  2. Faith is a relational feeling that can be cultivated
  3. Judaism emphasizes having faith in God and not misplacing it

The Opening of the American Mind

40 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
  1. Americans may be more willing to engage in debate and have open minds than presumed.
  2. Engaging with diverse perspectives and being open to new ideas is important.
  3. It's crucial to listen to and understand the experiences and viewpoints of others.