Covid (Again?) + Last Week's Digest
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Last Week's Digest + A Throwback

This week, Spectacles looks closely at how "free trade" has undermined international and domestic support of democracy.
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Last Week's Digest + A Throwback

This week, Spectacles looks closely at how "free trade" has undermined international and domestic support of democracy.

Spectacles  — 26 October 2021

From the archive:

Insight - The Promises and Perils of Australia’s New Submarines
A new defensive pact may help to shore up regional security against Chinese expansion, but it’s a partial solution with its own drawbacks.
Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon
President Biden just visited an ASEAN summit, and laid out plans for only $100mil in investment. To learn more about America's lackluster commitments to the region, this is a good piece.

Everything from last week:

Robber Barons and Stationary Bandits | Bird’s Eye
Join Harry and Philip as they explore how aspects of “stationary bandit” authoritarianism persist in America!
Spectacles MediaSpectacles
This episode concludes our discussion of the "stationary bandit" theory of autocracy, with a conversation about how some features may be found in the United States.
Why Autocracy Persists | Focus
The fall of the Soviet Union promised democracy’s global triumph. But we quickly forgot the principles that brought our victory.
Spectacles MediaPhilip Brain
Philip looks back to 2000, when the world opened up to China, and China responded. Integration with the country was shortsighted for the spread of democracy.
Time for Europe to Get Serious | Insight
Choosing to dodge conflict with Poland over its backsliding democracy and eroding rule of law would be a mistake for the European Union.
Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon
Harry criticizes EU leadership for a weak response to anti-democratic challenges coming from within the Union, from Poland.
Putin’s “Power” Politics | Insight
The impending approval of Russia’s natural gas pipeline to Germany is a reminder of how autocracies may be empowered by global trade.
Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon
Harry's Insight prefaces Philip's Focus by explaining how German trade friendliness with Russia is empowering its autocracy and undermining democracy in other places like Ukraine.
Toyota Boycott Blunder | Insight
With some boycotting Toyota, it’s critical we keep a focus on the importance of innovation broadly rather than one favorite green technology.
Spectacles MediaPhilip Brain
Philip takes a closer look at a protest near the office, examining whether a boycott of Toyota is shortsighted given the company's investment and innovation in other clean techs.
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