The essay discusses the emergence of new right wing movements in the context of international relations as evolved after the end of Cold War. The author attempts to link IR, history and political science theories to explain the phenomenon of Brexit, the last US elections and development in the Middle East.
As a professionally trained historian I am inclined to permit some time to pass before writing about contemporary events. A historian is better able to analyze what has actually happened and in what direction the world is moving with a more reasoned perspective than that available immediately following an event.
In 2016, the election of Donald Trump as the US president generated a plethora of analytical articles explaining the outcome. The overwhelming majority of mainstream media was not only surprised by his unexpected victory in the presidential campaign, but was equally appalled that populist rhetoric pregnant with ethnic and religious bias, accompanied with bald sexist comments, found such support in a country which for the last hundred years purported to lead the democratic world and exhibit exceptional moral superiority.
Table of Contents
1. What US election 2016 was about
2. Darwin was right
3. Liberalism at peril?
4. Democracy and the market: a flawed relationship
5. International (dis)order
6. From Emmanuelle to Fifty Shades of Grey
7. Conclusion: centrist consensus
Objectives and Topics
The work explores the underlying causes of contemporary global political instability, specifically focusing on the intersection of human evolutionary biology, economic shifts, and shifting societal values. It aims to synthesize historical, psychological, and economic perspectives to explain the rise of populism, the crisis of liberalism, and the challenges facing modern democracy.
- The impact of evolutionary instincts and social Darwinism on human behavior.
- The flaws in the relationship between democratic systems and global market capitalism.
- The decline of traditional masculinity and changes in sexual norms as drivers of social unrest.
- The failure of Western interventions and the challenges of maintaining a stable international order.
- The necessity for a centrist consensus in economic and social policy to mitigate radicalization.
Excerpt from the Book
Darwin was right
For the last 50-60 years, North America and Europe have enjoyed peace and prosperity. Although this is very short period of time in the history of the humankind, these three generations of prosperity have fostered a false assumption about the progressive and improving nature of human animals. We need to recall human’s fundamental instincts – and perhaps at this point I can be termed a Social Darwinist. As with other species, human animals compete for food. This is the inherent nature of all living organisms. While plants can produce the energy required for living through photosynthesis, animals must consume other living creatures. Humans have throughout history fought for food, mates and dominance; as resources grow scarce, this fight can become severe.
In 1971, Stanford University conducted a prison simulating experience, which was designed to study the behaviour of one group of people (guards) assigned to control another group (prisoners). Originally planned for two weeks, the experiment was cancelled on its sixth day due to the degrading actions on the part of “guards” towards “prisoners”. While scholars expected to study the influence of institutionalized confinement on people’s psychology, this experiment instead demonstrated how good people can be turned to evil once they acquired power and dominance.
Summary of Chapters
What US election 2016 was about: This chapter analyzes the 2016 US election as a protest against the established elite and the "hypernormalization" of societal dysfunction. It examines how economic anxieties and demographic shifts fueled the desire for radical change.
Darwin was right: The author explores human fundamental instincts and aggressive behaviors, arguing that modern prosperity has obscured the innate competitive nature of human animals. It references the Stanford prison experiment to illustrate how power dynamics can influence human conduct.
Liberalism at peril?: This section discusses the fragility of liberal democracy against populism and mob rule. It evaluates the impact of globalization on political stability and the potential dangers posed by anti-intellectualism.
Democracy and the market: a flawed relationship: The chapter explores the tensions between democratic ideals and the market economy. It critiques the Western model of capitalism, noting how economic inequality and the exploitation of labor have contributed to social and political discontent.
International (dis)order: This chapter addresses the failures of Western interventionism and regime change policies. It argues that a realist approach to international relations is necessary to understand the persistent nature of nationalism and religious identity.
From Emmanuelle to Fifty Shades of Grey: This analysis examines how shifting sexual norms and the decline of traditional gender roles affect modern society. It links the popularity of specific cultural media to frustrations regarding economic status and gender inequality.
Conclusion: centrist consensus: The conclusion proposes that avoiding future catastrophes requires abandoning utopian social engineering in favor of a centrist consensus. It emphasizes adapting to technological advancement while balancing social welfare with conservative fiscal values.
Keywords
Liberalism, Populism, Social Darwinism, Democracy, Capitalism, Global Order, Inequality, Human Instincts, Nationalism, Gender Roles, Globalization, Political Polarization, Economic Policy, Realism, Centrist Consensus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this work?
The work seeks to explain the current global political and social instability by identifying the root causes of the rise of populism and the apparent decline of the liberal order.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The book covers a multidisciplinary range of topics, including historical evolution, political science, economic systems, human biology, psychology, and changing sexual and social norms.
What is the core research question?
The text explores whether the common ground for current radical global trends, such as the 2016 US election and Islamist extremism, is rooted in similar human characteristics and evolutionary biology.
Which scientific methods does the author utilize?
The author employs a historical-analytical approach, synthesizing insights from evolutionary biology, sociology, international relations theory, and economics to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on contemporary events.
What does the main body address?
The main body examines the 2016 US election, the instinctive nature of human behavior, the challenges of modern democracy, the limitations of market-driven capitalism, the failures of international intervention, and the evolution of sexual behaviors in society.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Liberalism, Populism, Social Darwinism, Democracy, Capitalism, Inequality, and Realism.
How does the author view the "Western liberal order" in light of colonialism?
The author argues that the Western liberal order carries a heavy legacy of colonialism, which fuels resentment in the Middle East and complicates the perception of Western democratic goals.
What connection does the author make between economic frustration and religious extremism?
The author notes that young people in traditional societies, hindered by economic barriers and delayed adulthood, may express their frustration through religiosity or by joining extremist movements that offer an alternative to perceived moral degradation.
- Citar trabajo
- Farid Shafiyev (Autor), 2020, Jigsaw Puzzle. Centrist View on International Political (Dis)Order, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/514369
