The Rest Is Politics 79. Protests in China, UK strikes, and crypto bros
Nov 30, 2022
Protests erupt in China over strict zero COVID policies, drawing historical parallels with Tiananmen Square. The impact of COVID-19 on global leadership and its electoral consequences is scrutinized. Political shifts in Malaysia come into focus, highlighting Anwar Ibrahim's journey. With Scotland's independence debate gaining momentum, the recent Supreme Court ruling stirs further discussion. Labor strikes in the UK reflect economic pressures, echoing past challenges, while recent UK political controversies spark debates about democracy and governance.
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The Decline of Substantive Political Speeches
- Senior politicians rarely deliver substantial speeches anymore, despite public interest in in-depth discussions, as evidenced by podcast and book popularity.
- This suggests a misjudgment by politicians and media about public desire for more profound content.
David Miliband's View of a Disordered World
- David Miliband argues that the world is becoming more disordered, with fewer democracies than in 2005.
- Miliband suggests Biden's democracy vs. dictatorship framing might be too simplistic, advocating for engaging with regimes that respect a world order, even if not fully democratic.
David Cameron's Outdated Worldview
- David Cameron's political worldview, formed during 1989-2005, didn't anticipate the rise of populism and social media's impact.
- His mistakes on Brexit, Scotland, Libya, and Syria demonstrate being a prisoner of that era, a child of Tony Blair.