USA - Is America Going the way of the Soviets in the 1990's? : Jackson Diiani / The Atlantic / Article shared by Robert Cohen
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| The sudden decline in US life expectancy |
This will resonate, I'm sure.
AI summary:
American society is exhibiting a number of alarming trends that suggest the social order is dysfunctional and potentially headed towards collapse or major upheaval. These trends include declining life expectancy, increased deaths of despair, worsening public health crises like the opioid epidemic, crumbling infrastructure, extreme inequality, political polarization, the undermining of factual consensus and media fragmentation, the global rise of far-right populism, proximity to nuclear conflict, and impending climate catastrophe.
The author traces the origins of these issues to power shifting towards financial institutions and away from labor in the 1970s, the dismantling of economic regulations, wage stagnation, the Southern strategy in politics, and the democratization yet degradation of media quality on the internet. They compare the situation to the last years of the decaying Soviet Union.
However, the author notes polls show most Americans want progressive change on issues like wages, health care, inequality and climate. Mass protest movements have shifted public consciousness but not created large-scale change. The author argues future positive change will require levels of activism and labor militancy akin to the 1930s, asserting power outside government to improve living standards. This could encourage a return to communal life and mutual purpose to avoid collapse.
The mass migration to the US perhaps says more about the countries the migrants come from than the US.
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting are the numbers of refugees from the PRC and also India -- both middle income economies that were touted as global comers growing in economic and geo strategic clout. Sustainable economies can actually lock in inequity. At around more than 800 billion dollars per annum the U.S needs to keep defence spending high to stay ahead, perhaps that is why the politics are now more performative assertions of strength and exceptionalism. In a zero sum formulation the White working class's( complete with $75 000 trucks ) angst, increasingly feeling that the
ReplyDeleteother groups are eating their lunch -- MAGA is nothing but catering to those who want to reset the clock to the good old days when other groups knew their place in the queue. That's Trumps secret sauce.
While the author paints a bleak picture of American society and attributes its issues to various factors such as the shift in power dynamics, deregulation, and political strategies, it's essential to scrutinize and question the argument for a more nuanced understanding. Here are several points to consider:
ReplyDeleteGlobal Comparison: The argument focuses primarily on issues within the United States but fails to acknowledge that other economically rich countries also face challenges. Pointing out specific issues in the U.S. without comparing them to similar problems in other nations can create a skewed perspective.
Selective Criticism: The argument does not explain why economically rich countries with similar or even worse issues aren't criticized to the same extent. If these problems are indicative of a societal collapse, one must question why countries with similar challenges, or even worse conditions, are not subjected to the same level of critique.
Diverse Factors: The author attributes the problems to specific events in the 1970s, such as the shift in power and deregulation. However, societal issues are multifaceted and often have complex causes that evolve over time. Pinning the blame on specific events may oversimplify the analysis.
Positive Indicators: The argument neglects positive indicators and aspects of American society, such as advancements in technology, medical research, and the overall standard of living. A comprehensive assessment should consider both the challenges and the achievements to present a balanced view.
Democratic Process: The author mentions that polls show most Americans want progressive change, indicating that the democratic process is still functioning. While the argument acknowledges mass protest movements, it does not fully explore the potential for change through existing democratic mechanisms and institutions.
Historical Comparisons: Comparing the current situation to the last years of the Soviet Union may be an exaggeration. The U.S. has a history of overcoming challenges and adapting to societal shifts. Drawing parallels with such a different political and economic system may not be entirely accurate.
Incomplete Examination of Solutions: The proposed solution of activism and labor militancy akin to the 1930s may not be the only viable path to positive change. The argument could benefit from a more comprehensive exploration of various approaches and strategies for addressing societal issues.
While the concerns raised by the author are valid and important to address, a more balanced analysis would consider global comparisons, acknowledge positive indicators, and explore a broader range of potential solutions. Additionally, the selective focus on the U.S. without addressing similar issues in other economically rich countries weakens the overall argument.
All empires implode.. history has shown a 100% score on this event
ReplyDeleteWith this background - another four years of Trump is outright scary
ReplyDeleteFool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me does not seem to resonate in the US.
ReplyDelete