Episode 115: Free Download Norton Anti Imperialism (Ft. Ben Norton)
Jan 26, 2024
01:29:30
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In this episode, expert on imperialism and ancap presidents, Ben Norton, discusses various topics including extreme weather conditions in Texas, smoking habits and Chinese cuisine, potential war in the Middle East, the war in Yemen and its impact on trade routes, the shift of libertarians to the far right, the geopolitical exploitation in the Congo, and the sale of rights and world systems theory.
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Quick takeaways
Argentina's new libertarian President Millet has implemented shock therapy measures, leading to economic and social consequences for the people of Argentina.
The risk of a major regional escalation in the Middle East involving the US, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran remains high, with resistance forces showing restraint and China working towards peace.
The podcast sheds light on the neo-colonial dynamics and extractivism in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting foreign exploitation of resources and lack of democracy.
Deep dives
The Millet government in Argentina imposes shock therapy measures
Argentina's new president, Javier Millet, has implemented a series of economic shock therapy measures. Millet, a self-proclaimed libertarian and follower of Murray Rothbard, has prioritized privatization, abolished government ministries, including science and technology, education, transportation, environment, and more. He has made nepotism legal, bringing his sister on as the chief of staff. Inflation is skyrocketing, with prices increasing by 211.4% year-on-year. Public salaries have been frozen, leading to real wage cuts for many workers. Millet has laid off government workers, leading to protests and strikes. He aims to give police more authority to imprison protesters and implement surveillance cameras.
The risk of war in the Middle East
The risk of a major region-wide escalation in the Middle East, involving the United States, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, remains high. Israel continues its attacks on Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, while the US is bombing Yemen, Iraq, and Syria, as well as threatening Iran. However, the resistance forces in the region, including Hezbollah and Iran, have shown restraint, not falling into the trap of a wider conflict. Other countries, even traditional US allies in the region, are also reluctant to engage in a war. China is working to prevent escalation and broker peace. While World War III is unlikely, the situation in the region remains volatile and tensions persist.
The South Africa-Israel genocide case in the International Court of Justice
South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza and violating the Genocide Convention. The court proceedings are currently determining if a trial will proceed. The composition of the court, with judges from various countries, raises concerns about impartiality, especially considering the potential pressure exerted by the US. Previous rulings, such as the 2004 ICJ ruling against Israel's apartheid wall and the 1986 ruling against the US for war crimes in Nicaragua, indicate the complex nature and limited accountability of international law. Despite the potential landmark nature of the case, there are significant obstacles to holding Israel accountable, including potential US veto power in the UN Security Council.
The presidency of Argentina's Javier Millet
Javier Millet, Argentina's new president, who self-identifies as a libertarian, has enacted a series of measures that are impacting regular Argentines. These include making nepotism legal, abolishing government ministries such as education, transportation, and the environment, devaluing the currency, freezing public salaries, and laying off government workers. Inflation has skyrocketed, reaching 211.4% year-on-year, and protests and strikes have ensued. Millet aims to give police more authority to imprison protesters and implement surveillance cameras. His policies align with libertarian ideology while causing significant economic and social consequences for the people of Argentina.
The Economic and Geopolitical Consequences of Argentina's Current Government
The podcast episode discusses the economic and geopolitical consequences of Argentina's current government under President Millet. The speaker highlights Millet's policies, which include increasing surveillance, suppressing protests, and proposing a free market for organ sales. They also discuss Millet's alignment with the United States and Israel, which has strained Argentina's relations with China and Brazil, its major trading partners. The episode delves into Argentina's debt crisis and the risky economic decisions being made, such as issuing bonds in pesos and borrowing more money in dollars. Overall, the podcast conveys a pessimistic outlook for Argentina's future under Millet's governance.
Neo-Colonialism and Extractivism in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The podcast sheds light on the neo-colonial dynamics and extractivism in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It discusses the history of colonialism and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, highlighting Belgium's role in suppressing the country's anti-colonial movement. The speaker emphasizes the exploitation of DRC's natural resources, particularly copper and cobalt, by foreign companies, and how this has fueled conflicts and worsened poverty in the region. They also criticize the lack of democracy in the DRC, with puppet regimes serving the interests of foreign capital rather than addressing the needs of the Congolese people. The podcast highlights the significance of understanding world systems theory and the impact of imperialism on the DRC's socio-economic landscape.
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