yogthos

joined 5 years ago
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The debate between globalism and isolationism is presented in ideological terms, but it's really about different strategies for wealth accumulation. Globalists exploit cheap labor and resources abroad while isolationists exploit state dependence on domestic monopolies. This explains the push to dismantle orgs like USAID and reduce foreign commitments in a calculated bid to redirect trillions in public funds toward privatized domestic infrastructure and supply chains.

Musk, in particular, is well positioned to take advantage of reindustrialization having already built an empire subsidized by public money. Companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and Boring Co. are designed to feast on state contracts, hence his desire to funnel money that's spent propping up allies and waging wars inward. The framing of empire maintenance as wasteful acts as rebranding for corporate welfare under the guise of national renewal. The goal is to ensure that public wealth flows directly into the ventures owned by Musk and his friends.

Just as Halliburton profited by rebuilding bombed infrastructure of Iraq, Musk's firms stand to gain from rebuilding America's decaying roads, energy grids, and aerospace dominance. Control of SpaceX which is becoming critical for Pentagon launches, and strategic infrastructure like Starlink grants Musk unprecedented power to dictate terms to the state, privatizing what was once public utility. The retreat from empire is just a pivot to a form of internal colonization, where foreign adventurism is replaced with domestic extraction. The result is as always, wealth flows upward and austerity downward.

 

The debate between globalism and isolationism is presented in ideological terms, but it's really about different strategies for wealth accumulation. Globalists exploit cheap labor and resources abroad while isolationists exploit state dependence on domestic monopolies. This explains the push to dismantle orgs like USAID and reduce foreign commitments in a calculated bid to redirect trillions in public funds toward privatized domestic infrastructure and supply chains.

Musk, in particular, is well positioned to take advantage of reindustrialization having already built an empire subsidized by public money. Companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and Boring Co. are designed to feast on state contracts, hence his desire to funnel money that's spent propping up allies and waging wars inward. The framing of empire maintenance as wasteful acts as rebranding for corporate welfare under the guise of national renewal. The goal is to ensure that public wealth flows directly into the ventures owned by Musk and his friends.

Just as Halliburton profited by rebuilding bombed infrastructure of Iraq, Musk's firms stand to gain from rebuilding America's decaying roads, energy grids, and aerospace dominance. Control of SpaceX which is becoming critical for Pentagon launches, and strategic infrastructure like Starlink grants Musk unprecedented power to dictate terms to the state, privatizing what was once public utility. The retreat from empire is just a pivot to a form of internal colonization, where foreign adventurism is replaced with domestic extraction. The result is as always, wealth flows upward and austerity downward.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 1 month ago

I'm guessing they won't need to do an open dictatorship any more than neocons did. They'll just stuff all the institutions with people loyal to them, and the permanent bureaucracy will be loyal to the republicans going forward. That said, very much agree that there will be more cruelty for the working class as a result.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 1 month ago

Yeah good question, I imagine most people who understand what's happening realize the war should've been avoided at all costs.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 1 month ago

I expect Zelensky is going to be out of power before the end of the year now that US is calling for elections.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Right, any sort of a partisan movement requires support from the general public, and I just can't see that happening. Another thing to consider is that Ukraine may simply cease to exist as a state. Russia will absorb friendly and neutral territories in the east, while Hungary, Poland, and Romania will grab the ones in the west. That seems like an increasingly likely scenario.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They will keep trying for sure, but notice what's happening in imperialist countries domestically. The political system is becoming increasingly unstable, and it's only gonna keep getting worse because underlying contradictions aren't being addressed. Trying to double down on more imperialism will only destabilize the imperial core further. The whole thing is fundamentally unsustainable. They can do a lot of harm in the near term to be sure, but there's no future for them.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 1 month ago

Yeah, I recall reading that Russia banned them.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 10 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Right, most of these people are cowards who force others to fight for them. I expect most of them will flee to Europe once it becomes clear that the war is lost. Also, once the army collapses, Russia will very much do purges the same way they did with Germany after WW2. There's already a blueprint for this.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 1 month ago

truer words have never been spoken

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 1 month ago

that would be a sight to see

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 17 points 1 month ago (6 children)

To add to that, most Ukrainians who hated Russia enough to fight are dead now.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 17 points 1 month ago (11 children)

At this point it's highly likely that Ukraine will simply cease to exist as a state. I expect that it's just going to get carved up between Russia, Poland, Romania, and Hungary.

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