Analysts long assumed a Middle Eastern blockade would cripple China due to its reliance on imported oil, but that assumption is dangerously out of date. Having spent years hoarding strategic energy reserves, increasing overland Russian imports and cultivating diplomatic leverage, Beijing has engineered a position of considerable strength, which it has been using to its advantage.
China is so far ahead of the game. They have backup plans for the backup plans. It helps if you have a 5, 10, 15 and 25 year plan and stick to it. Unfortunately this is something most punters will never understand.
It’s too easy to subscribe to the idea the Middle Kingdom has all the aces in its sleeves, as it appears to have learned from the failures of its rivals, but I’m not deceived by all that glitters in Shanghai and Beijing. Notably the disturbing wealth disparity, an ironclad surveillance regime (which Thiel is envious of), and disillusionment and anger among some of the urban Chinese young against an exploitative work culture corroding them to the core.
Careful now buckaroo this only applies to energy. Politically, militarily and corruption wise they’re par. Xi wants to live forever just like Putin
Yeah, democracies really need a mechanism for voting on long term goals and a way to do a three strikes and banned for life for politicians violating the goals.
It’s easier than you’d think; we stop voting for people, and start voting for policy direction. Then we hire competent public servants to make and implement plans based on voter sentiment. Yeah, and while I’m dreaming, I’d like a pony.
The Swiss method.
In the US we have so many things that have general public support, but our leaders block for big money interests. Voting doesn’t solve that, which is why the country worries about potential dissolution and civil war/unrest.
No, the US needs to move past Red vs Blue “democracy” to something multi party and with constant coalitions and compromises. Then hopefully grown ups will run the US. Two parties is a democratic failure.
still very sucky of them to support russia tho
ukraine is doing a decent job of shutting down their oil industry
also i don’t think this shows the uk ho to do anything except push solar as hard as possible