The hottest Political Systems Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

A German Political Primer Ahead of Tomorrow's Elections

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 237 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Political Systems Governance Political theory
  1. Germany has a complex party system with traditional parties like CDU/CSU and SPD facing challenges as new parties like AfD and Die Linke gain prominence. Understanding these dynamics helps explain current political tensions.
  2. The CDU/CSU and SPD have historically dominated German politics, but both are in decline now, with the AfD making significant gains by attracting discontented voters from these parties.
  3. The political landscape in Germany is shifting, with a growing divide between traditional parties and newcomers, which could lead to significant changes in governance if the current system can't adapt.

Will Belgium become Europe's next hard-right government?

Gulf Stream Blues • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Political Systems European Politics Federalism Nationalism
  1. Belgium is experiencing a rise in far-right politics, similar to trends in Italy and the Netherlands. This means more far-right parties could gain power in Europe.
  2. The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) has been the largest party in Belgium for years, advocating for more regional control and less federal influence. They want a system where regions manage their own taxes.
  3. Belgium's complicated political system is affecting its unity, with ongoing debates about taxation and regional independence. Many believe the country functions more like separate states instead of a united nation.

Top Links 553 Wrangling over lithography machines. Thai coups. Power plays in Vietnam & the collapsing Lao state.

Chartbook • 314 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Conflict Studies Political Systems
  1. There is ongoing competition and negotiation regarding lithography machines, which are crucial for semiconductor manufacturing. This shows how technology is tied to global power dynamics.
  2. Recent political changes, like coups in Thailand, highlight instability in the region. Such events can shift the balance of power and affect international relations.
  3. Vietnam's power struggles and the crisis in Laos indicate significant challenges in governance and stability in Southeast Asia. These issues impact the lives of many people in these countries.

After Navalny Part 2

Diane Francis • 559 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Political Systems Civil Society Democracy Human Rights
  1. In the past, people in Russia struggled with chaos and mistrust after experiencing harsh government control. This history has made it hard for them to build a trusting society.
  2. Unlike Russia, Ukraine has a strong civil society that has successfully protested against corruption and for a brighter future. Their ability to unite shows a different relationship with governance.
  3. Alexei Navalny's recent death highlighted the continued repression in Russia, as only a few people paid their respects, showing a lack of trust and support for change among the citizens.
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Between Mandala and Machine

Breaking Smart • 76 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Systems Elections Political theory Political Movements
  1. Mandalas and machines represent two different approaches to societal organization. Mandalas focus on human relationships and caring, while machines focus on knowledge and efficiency.
  2. There's an ongoing shift from traditional machine politics to mandala-like systems, which rely on personal connections and shared values rather than strict institutions.
  3. To build a better societal machine, we need a mix of creativity and structure, resulting in a system that's both effective and aware of human needs.

No Country Has a "Right to Exist"

Stark Realities with Brian McGlinchey • 595 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Israel-Palestine conflict Governance Human Rights Political Systems Propaganda
  1. No country inherently has a 'right to exist', they require permission from the governed to exist.
  2. The concept of states having a 'right to exist' is false, as history shows political arrangements change over time.
  3. States, from Israel to Ukraine, can only justly exist if they have the consent of those they govern.

Fools Rush In

KERFUFFLE • 39 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Systems Progressivism Political Dysfunction Governance
  1. California's politics appear confusing and chaotic. This confusion often results in ineffective policies and governance.
  2. The problems in California's political system have historical roots that trace back to England. Understanding this history is important to grasp the current challenges.
  3. The author has compiled various observations and insights about California's political issues into one detailed essay for better understanding.

Hammering Trudeau won't build a better house

History's Parrot • 157 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Political Systems Democracy Media Ideologies Geopolitics
  1. Focusing on criticizing leaders like Trudeau isn't as effective as addressing the actual problems in society
  2. Mainstream media often fails to provide meaningful and insightful coverage, focusing on surface-level issues rather than deeper truths
  3. Current political systems are influenced by harmful ideologies, affecting democracy and the integrity of political parties

How Politics Worked

David Friedman’s Substack • 179 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Primary elections Political Influence Civil Service Political Systems
  1. Plunkitt of Tammany Hall describes and defends the machine system of politics in New York City in the early 20th century.
  2. Richardson's book explains how the precinct executives played a crucial role in the machine system by managing to swing a majority of votes in primary elections.
  3. The debate arises on whether the machine system of politics, as described by Plunkitt and Richardson, was a positive or negative force compared to modern democracy.

Chinese Chess

Diane Francis • 379 implied HN points • 04 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Human Rights Political Systems Democracy
  1. The handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 was met with mixed emotions, and many people felt that the promised freedoms were never truly kept. Instead of a democratic system, China imposed its authority and control over the region.
  2. Over the years, Hong Kong has faced serious issues like a decline in human rights, a growing wealth gap, and crumbling living conditions for many residents. These problems have led to a loss of faith in its future as a financial center.
  3. Despite its challenges, Hong Kong remains important as a gateway to China for investments. However, due to continuous repression, many educated individuals are leaving, which threatens its status and stability.

We Must Stop Saying “The Left”

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 79 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Social Issues Government Institutions Political Discourse Political Systems
  1. The term 'The Left' is not accurately representing those behind cultural forces like wokeness.
  2. The true orchestrators of societal malaise are not typical left-wing activists, but rather powerful individuals within the establishment.
  3. Wokeness and related ideologies are creations of the system aiming to divide people and divert attention from the true sources of societal issues.

The Roman Market Economy

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
💾 History Ancient Rome Economics Trade Political Systems
  1. The Roman economy functioned like a market economy, thriving on trade during the Pax Romana, which helped improve living standards. Markets existed long ago, and the flow of goods among regions shows how interconnected they were.
  2. Data on prices and trade from ancient times can be hard to find, but clever techniques can help make sense of it. This shows that even with limited information, we can understand how economies worked.
  3. Economic issues like inflation and political stability often influenced each other during the Roman Empire. Events like plagues affected both money value and social order, showing that economic and historical factors are linked.

Should I vote today?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Rights Political parties Elections Political Systems
  1. Voting in party primaries can feel wrong if you're not part of that party. It's important to think about whether your influence is legitimate in a primary for a party you don't belong to.
  2. The process for candidates to get on the ballot is often really difficult and unfair. When major candidates can't even get on the ballot, it shows that something is seriously wrong with the system.
  3. Participation in voting can feel like a double-edged sword. Even if you disagree with the rules, voting might help bring attention to needed changes in the system.

Beowulf & World-Building

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💾 History Political Systems
  1. In pre-feudal and early feudal societies, the relationship between kings and their retainers was crucial, with key socio-political and economic bonds shaping their interactions.
  2. Feudalism, as a concept, emerged later to describe medieval political and legal relationships, with a focus on private power and land ownership.
  3. Land was central to power and wealth in pre-feudal and feudal Europe, with landholdings providing income and resources for the fighting classes, shaping the social structure of the time.