Opinion – How American Politics Became So Ineffective – The Atlantic

The Atlantic

The Atlantic (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is an outstanding must-read article from The Atlantic. It argues that Republicans and Democrats of 2016 have neither intelligible boundaries nor enforceable norms. The alarming conclusion is that as a result, renegade political behavior pays.

Source: How American Politics Became So Ineffective – The Atlantic

Let me give you a flavor:

Trump, however, didn’t cause the chaos. The chaos caused Trump. What we are seeing is not a temporary spasm of chaos but a chaos syndrome.

Personally, I blame President Obama for promising so much and delivering so little.

Across the Western world, we are witnessing the rise in power of the political extremes, the far-left and the far-right. This is the world of post-truth politics, in which evidenced is suppressed and dogma rules – for both extremes, the end justifies the means. Democracy has been hijacked by populism.

Let me ask an open question:

So how will the political center win against populism?

Thoughts?

Incredible Transformation: “Witch Child” Whose Parents Left Him for Dead in Nigerian Makes Speedy Recovery – People’s Daily Online

English: Logo of the People's Daily 中文: 人民日报题字

English: Logo of the People’s Daily 中文: 人民日报题字 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the currently the most popular article by the People’s Daily, one of China’s leading newspapers. It reports that a two-year-old Nigerian boy who was found emaciated and riddled with worms after his family left him for dead has made an incredible recovery.The picture of the starving toddler being given a sip of water by an aid worker broke hearts around the world when it was first published in January.

Source: Incredible Transformation: “Witch Child”Whose Parents Left Him for Dead in Nigerian Makes Speedy Recovery – People’s Daily Online

China, of course, is active in Africa helping with development and seeking strategic opportunities to secure preferential access to raw materials.

Thoughts?