A bit of history lesson by Bernie Sanders: Western Politics Is Built On Colonialism In this interactive session from 2003 with students at the James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York, US politician and activist Bernie Sanders gives an honest analysis of the politics of his own country and the West at large, highlighting how these politics have always been based on the terrorization and exploitation of the wealthier and more humanistic civilizations of the Global South. The US government’s kidnapping of Venezuela’s popular and democratically-elected President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026, and its continued reign of t£rror over the Latin American country is one of the more recent displays of this centuries-old culture of parasitism. If the members of the US’s own political establishment are frank enough to call out the US for the t£rror state it is, one can only guess why so many Africans are cheering for this country – especially given their continent’s own history with it. #Sanders #Chile #USA Article credit: Spearhead Media

History offers a warning — and a roadmap. What does China ultimately want? The answer may already be written in centuries of strategy, expansion, and global ambition. As tensions rise between Washington and Beijing, understanding China’s long-term goals has never mattered more. #politics #opinion #china https://lnkd.in/e8SZE8YK

#Political #Order and Political #Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the #Globalization of #Democracy by Francis Fukuyama Writing in The Wall Street Journal, David Gress called Francis Fukuyama's Origins of Political Order "magisterial in its learning and admirably immodest in its ambition." In The New York Times Book Review, Michael Lind described the book as "a major achievement by one of the leading public intellectuals of our time." And in The Washington Post, Gerard DeGrott exclaimed "this is a book that will be remembered. Bring on volume two." Volume two is finally here, completing the most important work of political thought in at least a generation. Taking up the essential question of how societies develop strong, impersonal, and accountable political institutions, Fukuyama follows the story from the French Revolution to the so-called Arab Spring and the deep dysfunctions of contemporary American politics. He examines the effects of corruption on governance, and why some societies have been successful at rooting it out. He explores the different legacies of colonialism in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and offers a clear-eyed account of why some regions have thrived and developed more quickly than others. And he boldly reckons with the future of democracy in the face of a rising global middle class and entrenched political paralysis in the West. A sweeping, masterful account of the struggle to create a well-functioning modern state, Political Order and Political Decay is destined to be a classic. https://lnkd.in/e5adiPPq

"Regime Tweak" in Venezuela: Forced Detente and Washington's "Political Faction" - Global ResearchGlobal Research - Centre for Research on Globalization https://lnkd.in/dyiUBHUM

The short sightedness and intellectual shallowness of the Trump administration being shrewdly taken advantage of by China. Global democracies - middle powers especially - need to step in and provide the enlightened leadership destroyed by the outdated economics of western conservatives! https://lnkd.in/dYZdcvF6

I just had to remove one of my connections and it's worth talking about why I did so. He was talking about the thought experiment of Venezuela being the 51st state and even said "let's remove politics from the discussion." Instead he talked about their resources. Several comments here. First, Venezuela is a sovereign country, and it is impossible to have this discussion in a fair manner that removes politics from the equation. Even the fundamental concept of states and countries are political concepts. There are 28.8 million people in Venezuela. They have hopes and dreams and goals and they should be able to pursue them and not have them destroyed by an imperialistic war designed to steal Venezuela's sovereignty. Secondly, the entire concept of removing politics from the equation and instead talking about resources (typically oil in the case of Venezuela) is exactly the logic that politicians use to justify imperialistic wars to take other countries' resources. This kind of rhetoric is not okay. And I will call it out whenever I see it. And it's worth noting that European politicians are not immune to this kind of logic. Recently, a Spanish politician came to Mexico and said good things about the era of Spanish conquestors. To an audience of indigenous people as well. The audience had the good sense to show her the door. The United States has more than enough resources without stealing from other countries. This is not okay. And those of you in European countries need to be telling your politicians you do not want a return of the era of conquestors and imperialism.

Interesting to see my recent Americas Quarterly article on Nicaragua and Russia now being discussed inside Nicaragua itself, including coverage by both La Prensa and 100% Noticias. The article’s central argument is that the deeper issue is not simply geopolitics. It is the long-term erosion of democratic institutions inside Nicaragua — including pressure on universities, churches, civil society organizations, independent media, and political opposition. Authoritarian partnerships rarely emerge in a vacuum. They often deepen where democratic institutions have already been weakened from within. I appreciate the serious discussion the piece is generating across the region. Americas Quarterly article: https://lnkd.in/gSCsJgzf La Prensa coverage: https://lnkd.in/dziQ3KFT 100% Noticias coverage: https://lnkd.in/gmSKab-M

The intersection of foreign influence and American media is a complex issue. Concerns are raised when American media companies have leadership registered as foreign agents for foreign governments, especially when ownership involves political figures. This raises questions about editorial independence and national interests. Should American universities and media outlets accept funding from foreign entities, particularly those facing international scrutiny for their actions? #ForeignInfluence #MediaEthics #NationalSecurity #AmericanPolitics #Geopolitics

Political systems and inequality Our Modern Autocracy Substack column this week looks at how two entrenched but very different types of autocracy – China and Russia - and one aspirant autocrat in the US handle their elites. The column identifies some common features and tensions but also different goals. At a time when barely a week passes without autocratic rule and rulers making headlines, it’s worth understanding what it is and how it works. Take a look and subscribe – it is free! Link in the comments below. #Autocracy #Democracy #PoliticalEconomy #Economics #Inequality #China #Russia