thomas friedman Archives - Fabius Maximus website

Does exporting democracy fan the flames of hatred around the world?

By Larry Kummer, Editor / 3 Comments / 19 May 2012 7 January 2018

Summary: Here’s an interesting review of an important book about an unpleasant side-effect of the West’s most powerful exports: democracy and free-market economies. The theme song for globalization should be “The World Turned Upside Down“. . Review of World on Fire: How Exporting Free-Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability by Amy Chua (Prof …

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Tom Friedman provides a window to the thinking of our ruling elites

By Larry Kummer, Editor / 13 Comments / 10 September 2009 8 October 2016

Our elites tolerate the republic, as it provides a stable political regime without limiting their ability to amass wealth and power (for details see “Wealth, Income, and Power” by G. William Domhoff). Thomas Friedman explains how this works in “Our One-Party Democracy“, op-ed in the New York Times, 8 September 2009. His logic is bizarre but …

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Thomas Friedman, an exemplar of 21st century America

By Larry Kummer, Editor / 33 Comments / 15 March 2009 15 March 2009

Some reviews are far more interesting and insightful than the books they discuss. This post gives an excerpt from one of the best reviews, ever — for both your entertainment and enlightenment. I recommend reading it in full. That Friedman is a best-selling intellectual in America is prima facie evidence that our observation-orientation-decision-action loop is …

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We are withdrawing again from Iraq, forever

By Larry Kummer, Editor / 9 Comments / 12 April 2008 22 November 2009

Summary: a survey of the Stratfor database from 2003 to now shows 21 articles about promises or hints of reducing US forces in Iraq. This post was updated to November 2009. Like a trout jumping for the lure, we get excited at each glimpse of the light at the end of the long tunnel that …

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Empowered individuals — and super-empowered ones!

By Larry Kummer, Editor / 16 Comments / 13 November 2007 15 April 2015

Summary: Super-empowered individuals are a cutting-edge debate in some circles. But individuals are always powerful, able to shape their human and physical terrain — alter history. If there are such a thing, the big question is if they are good development — or bad? Following Godwin’s Law, this ends with a discussion of Nazi’s and Hitler. …

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