The Upheaval

The Upheaval Substack delves into the ideological shifts in Western society, the rise of China, challenges to liberalism, and global political dynamics. It explores various facets including media influence, political strategies, societal transformations, feminism, geopolitical tensions, and governance. The articles combine historical analysis, contemporary issues, and speculative outlooks on future societal orders.

Ideological Shifts Media and Government Relations Societal Transformation Political Theory International Relations Technology and Security Feminism and Gender Issues Governance and Democracy Economic Policies Cultural and Philosophical Analysis

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Confucius Says “lol, lmao”

2026 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Governance Trust Leaders Wisdom History
  1. According to Confucius, the basics of governance consist of having enough armaments, food, and the trust of the common people.
  2. Confucius emphasizes that the trust of the people is the most crucial element for a state to stand, even above food and armaments.
  3. The modern political leaders seem to have forgotten these fundamental principles, failing to prioritize security, defense, and the trust of the common people.

Creative Destruction

1032 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Regime Change Future scenarios
  1. Historian Neil Howe predicts a significant shift in America's society and governance, likening it to previous generational historical cycles.
  2. Howe's model suggests a coming crisis leading to the birth of a new national order, potentially involving revolutionary regime change and great societal transformation.
  3. The book presents an optimistic outlook for America's future after the impending crisis, envisioning a new golden age albeit with concerns about potential outcomes and implications.

Official Endorsement for President

924 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Satire Election
  1. Concrete Block is endorsed for President in 2024 for providing stability in uncertain times
  2. Concrete Block promises not to change anything, raise taxes, or issue executive orders
  3. Concrete Block's platform includes pro-construction, limited government, and local governance

Memory-Holing the Apocalypse

812 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Government Influence Pandemic response Accountability
  1. A whistleblower revealed bribery and manipulation by top officials to change conclusions on the origins of Covid-19
  2. Fauci and his colleagues engaged in a widespread effort to cover up the true origin of the virus
  3. Despite evidence piling up for a lab-leak scenario, accountability for the actions of those involved, including Fauci, seems unlikely
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Interview: Ryszard Legutko

795 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Liberal democracy Totalitarianism Democracy Authoritarianism
  1. The political turmoil in Poland is examined through the lens of Ryszard Legutko's book, highlighting the government's crackdown on media and institutional changes.
  2. Ideas from Legutko's book suggest that aspects of liberalism contribute to abandoning the rule of law, and policymakers are driven by dogmatic ideological beliefs.
  3. There is a discussion on how liberalism, power, and social engineering intersect, leading to a vision where liberal ideology holds authority over societal structures.

A Better Model of Political Categories

630 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Philosophy Conservatism Progressivism
  1. Consider the political landscape beyond just Left vs. Right and explore other categories like Right-Wing Progressives for a more comprehensive understanding.
  2. Challenge traditional frameworks like the four-quadrant political compass and explore models that acknowledge the nuances and complexities of political ideologies.
  3. Think about political personality types using multiple axes/spectrums to represent the diverse nature of political beliefs, moving away from simple, misleading charts.

Feminism Against Humanity

576 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Society Gender Literature
  1. A 32-year-old woman's choice to prioritize self-care over her partner's care sparked debate on personal autonomy.
  2. The UN's report emphasized empowering women to make choices about their bodies and futures as a primary focus.
  3. Mary Harrington's book 'Feminism Against Progress' challenges the current state of liberal feminism and explores ways to redirect it.

Subscriber Commentary & Review Thread (#15)

261 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Central Banks Digital Currency Liberalism Authoritarianism
  1. The Gulf States are rapidly changing due to economic boom, attracting global wealth and talents, leading to potential reshaping of global liberalism.
  2. Central banks are pushing forward with the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) despite concerns over totalitarian state surveillance and control.
  3. Global trends suggest a shift towards stable authoritarian regimes with liberal elements, possibly leading to a new form of governance different from the West or China.

The Rise of the Right-Wing Progressives

6 HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Progressivism Conservatism Hierarchy
  1. The concept of Right-Wing Progressives challenges traditional political labels and emphasizes a focus on progress and innovation.
  2. Right-Wing Progressives value hierarchy and prioritize progress above all else, often advocating for state intervention for the sake of progress.
  3. The beliefs of Right-Wing Progressives are grounded in rationalism and consequentialism, leading to a philosophy that aims to maximize progress through technological advancement and societal transformation.