The Resistible Rise of US-China Conflict — Dani Rodrik

Dani Rodrik talks some sense, both economic and practical. This post reveals the dichotomy between geoeconomic interests and geopolitical interests. The geopolitical view is that it's a zero-sum winner-takes-all game. The geoeconomic view is that conflict is destructive while world trade is beneficial. US business is backing the latter view. The MICIMATT (Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank complex) is heavily committed to the geopolitical view. This has economic implications as well, since the American economy is heavily dependent on military spending.

I would add that world trade is not necessarily beneficial for all, but itcan be made beneficial for all by eliminating imperialism. And without imperialism, militaries would be directed to national defense instead of expansion of territory and influence, and reduced military spending could be redirected to domestic priorities.

Project Syndicate

The Resistible Rise of US-China Conflict
Dani Rodrik, Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, is President of the International Economic Association and the author of Straight Talk on Trade: Ideas for a Sane World Economy

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/us-china-conflict-is-not-inevitable-by-dani-rodrik-2021-11

Also at PS

In 2019, the first currency union in Africa seemed poised to become a reality – until an unexpected intervention by Emmanuel Macron disrupted the process. Macron has said he wants to examine France’s legacy in Africa and establish a new relationship with its former colonies, but his actions speak louder than his words.…

France still views itself as an imperial power, as does the UK. They are diehards.

Will France Derail West Africa's Common Currency?
Simplice A. Asongu

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/france-derails-west-africa-ecowas-common-currency-by-simplice-asongu-2021-11

See also

Right now it seems that facts and rational policy making are totally beyond the capacity of the Washington policy-making establishment. The military-industrial-congressional complex desperately needs enemies to justify lavish “defense” (actually, offense) spending....

ACURA ViewPoint:Ambassador Jack F. Matlock, Jr. on Embassy Staff Restrictions

American Committee for US-Russia Accord
November 8, 2021
Ambassador Jack F. Matlock, US ambassador to the USSR in the Reagan administration

https://ccisf.org/notice-ambassador-jack-matlock-speaks-out/

Related

Tactical nukes on F-35s.

Counterpunch
The US is Set to Make Nuclear War More Likely
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