Back in the UK 19/04/2016
Posted by chrisdshaw in Domestic Politics, Economics, Geopolitics, Human mobility, United States.add a comment
After a six year break I have decided to resume blogging, commenting, opining on Brave New World. Since I stop my regular posts in early 2010 I have got married, moved abroad, had two beautiful daughters, set up and run a business in the wilds of southern Louisiana, and experienced a culture few Europeans are privileged to enjoy . While much of our experiences have been challenging, we have had rewarding and magical experience.
The blog was originally intended to focus primarily on global macro-economic concerns, which were uppermost in people’s minds following the 2008 financial crisis. The slow and weak economic recovery in the developed world, helped by a lopsided and unsustainable policy response benefitting a small percentage of the population at the expense of the rest, means that economic policy will continue to be an important focus of attention on this site.
However, I would like to widen the scope of discussion to include;
- Domestic politics around the world, particularly with regard to the disenchantment with the political establishment and the resulting rise of populism, the rise of geopolitical instability
- Rising geopolitical instability, led by the decline in US prestige and world influence and the increasingly aggressive stances by Middle East actors and China and Russia
- Decline in media standards and the effects on discourse
- The growth in human mobility and its effects- economic and political refugees-causes and effects
If all that sounds too bleak I apologise. I promise to include a focus on hope for the world and humanity. We owe it to our children to keep working to improve our situation, even it- at times like these- the world appears to have lost its head. I’ll also be giving my views on living and working in southern Louisiana and New Orleans, The Crescent City. I love that place- warts and all!
Back soon….
Democrats to pursue death wish strategy 20/01/2010
Posted by chrisdshaw in Politics, Uncategorized, United States.add a comment
Conversations between Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and some of hits constituents hint at a Democratic strategy to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that they are the most incompetent political machine in the Western World. President Obama, you certainly have your work cut out.
US politics grinds to a halt- oh joy 20/01/2010
Posted by chrisdshaw in Politics, United States.add a comment
It has been difficult to concentrate today as the sense of impending doom I thought I had left behind in November 2008 has returned. I was awoken by the 7am Radio 4 news bulletin announcing that Republican candidate, and former Penthouse centerfold, Scott Brown had won race for Senator in the Massachusetts Special Election, following Ted Kennedy’s death last year. The seat was considered to be a rock solid Democratic seat and has started a huge political earthquake in Washington D.C. If translated to a general election the Democrats would be virtually wiped out. Fortunately we have to wait until November this year before something like that has a chance of happening.
What makes this election victory by the GOP even more significant is that it is almost certain to derail healthcare reform, an issue very close to the former senator’s heart. On top of this, any chance of meaningful climate change legislation is off the cards, as is pretty much anything else the Obama administration advocates. The GOP have managed to sabotage anything the administration proposes, such is its singlemindedness in destroying a presidency that voted in on a promise of change. The US faces a serious political crisis, entirely the fault of a lunatic right-wing GOP- one that would make Reagan turn in his grave- and a Democratic party that never ceases to amaze by its ineptitude. At possibly one of the most critical periods in American history the country is being plunged into yet another stretch of political paralysis, with no serious attempt is made to address its deep structural problems in the US economy and society and a fasting US leadership in the world at precisely the time that America needs to safeguard its influence with the rise of China and other emerging regional superpowers. And perhaps the most worrying thing of all, virtually no chance of any climate change leadership in a decade which most scientific opinion is convinced is crucial for the future of the planet.
This is a deeply depressing time. It is not yet 9 years since September 11th. How America can have lost its way so quickly is simply staggering.
Brave New World 