Amergent

The myth of the free market, perpetuated by those who benefit from its absence. The concept of a "free market" is often idealised as an economic system where competition flourishes, prices are determined by supply and demand, and individuals have equal opportunities to participate. However, this idealised vision obscures the reality that truly free markets are a myth. In practice, markets are heavily constrained by monopolies, rentier capitalism, and the concentration of wealth and power among a small elite. These forces restrict competition, distort prices, and exclude the majority of people from meaningful economic participation. Rather than being a neutral arena of exchange, the market is shaped by entrenched interests that limit its freedom and perpetuate inequality. One of the most significant barriers to free markets is the dominance of monopolies and oligopolies. Large corporations, through economies of scale, regulatory capture, and anti-competitive practices, stifle ...

Elinor Ostrom's Governing the Commons (1990) provides a groundbreaking framework for managing shared resources sustainably, challenging the conventional wisdom that commons are inevitably doomed to overuse and degradation (the "tragedy of the commons"). Ostrom's work is particularly relevant today as humanity faces the dual crises of ecological collapse and institutional failure. Her principles for managing common-pool resources (CPRs) offer a robust pathway for developing human institutions that are both ecologically sustainable and socially equitable. Furthermore, CPR management is synergistic within an overall economic framework that includes Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Land rent Value Taxation (LVT) Ostrom's work is grounded in extensive empirical research, demonstrating that communities can successfully manage CPRs without top-down regulation or privatization. She identified eight design principles for effective CPR management, including clear boundaries...

The Identifying Characteristics of Fascism.  1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism. Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.  2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights. Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc. 3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause. The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.  4. Supremacy of the Military. Even when there are widespread domestic pro...

Amergentism is the principle of holding social and ecological categorisation lightly. Human cognition has a natural tendency to seek certainty through patterns, groupings, and thematic structures. We create categories to simplify our understanding of the world, enabling us to navigate complex realities with greater ease. However, these patterns are not fixed; they are emergent and in perpetual flux. Clinging too rigidly to predefined structures removes us from the natural flow of reality, leading to stagnation and, ultimately, decay—socially, culturally, politically, and ecologically. Amergentism offers an alternative: instead of imposing rigid frameworks onto dynamic systems, it encourages adaptability, responsiveness, and an openness to the organic evolution of social and ecological relationships. Rather than defining reality through fixed ideological constructs, Amergentism invites us to engage with the world as it unfolds, embracing uncertainty as an essential aspect of both person...

 Autocracy, a system of government in which absolute power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or a small elite, has several inherent weaknesses. These weaknesses span political, economic, social, and psychological dimensions. Below is a comprehensive list of the key drawbacks of autocracy: 1. Political Weaknesses Lack of Accountability Autocratic rulers often operate without oversight, making them prone to corruption, inefficiency, and abuse of power. Without checks and balances, poor decisions can go unchallenged, leading to systemic failures. Suppression of Dissent Political opposition, media freedom, and civil liberties are often curtailed, leading to repression. This suppression can result in public resentment, underground opposition, and eventual political instability. Risk of Power Consolidation & Dynastic Rule Autocratic systems often favor nepotism, cronyism, and power consolidation, leading to incompetent leadership. Leaders may change rules (e.g., abolishi...

 In The Authoritarians by Bob Altemeyer, the characteristics of authoritarian personalities are discussed in depth, focusing on both leaders (authoritarian leaders) and followers (authoritarian followers). Altemeyer’s work builds on the earlier studies by Adorno et al. in the 1950s but refines and focuses the concept for modern psychological and sociopolitical contexts. Here is a complete list of the key traits associated with both leaders and followers: Characteristics of Authoritarian Followers Authoritarian followers are high on what Altemeyer refers to as Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) . These individuals exhibit the following core traits: 1. Submission to Authority A strong tendency to obey perceived legitimate authorities. Followers defer to leaders, trusting them to define morality and appropriate behavior. 2. Conventionalism A deep adherence to societal norms and traditions endorsed by authority figures. Preference for established practices and resistance to social chan...