#India's global rise

[political-science-solution]

India’s Strategic Rise Through BRICS: Diplomacy, Economic Goals, and Global South Leadership

India's growing role within #BRICS was evident at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, #Russia, where key advancements in #diplomacy, economic cooperation, and #security initiatives took center stage. Held from October 22-24, 2024, the summit underscored India's balanced approach between East and West. Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a significant diplomatic step, as both leaders agreed to pre-2020 border patrol statuses, signaling a shift toward regional stability.

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[rajvardhanrathore]

Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore said: The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, to be held in Jaipur from 09 to 11 December 2024, is set to be a gamechanger for entrepreneurs and investors alike. This summit presents a golden opportunity to attract major investments to the state while fostering innovation and economic growth. With global investors eyeing Rajasthan, this conference is an unparalleled platform for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, network with industry leaders, and secure funding. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to make your mark at this prestigious event. Be part of the change and unlock Rajasthan’s future potential by attending the Rising Rajasthan Summit.

[anik211]

India’s Path to a $10 Trillion Economy: Unlocking Growth Through Financial Inclusion, Innovation, and Sustainability 🇮🇳💡🌱

India’s ambitious goal of becoming a $10 trillion economy by 2032 reflects its immense potential and aspirations. I view this target as both challenging and achievable, provided that strategic improvements are made across multiple sectors. Let’s explore the key areas that demand attention and assess their potential impact on India’s economic trajectory. 1. Financial Inclusion: The Catalyst for…

[futurefatum]

Shocking Predictions For The Next 10 Years (Tone: 310)

Sri M predicts rising environmental challenges, but a youth-driven spiritual awakening may avert disaster. #SpiritualAwakening #ClimateCrisis #Predictions

Published on March 14th, 2023 Sri M’s Shocking Predictions For The Next 10 Years ABOUT THIS VIDEO: The video titled “Sri M’s Shocking Predictions for the Next 10 Years” features spiritual teacher Sri M discussing various challenges humanity faces and offering insights into what may unfold over the next decade. Key topics include environmental degradation, such as rising sea levels and…

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau put forward a new regulation to limit bank overdraft fees. The CFPB pointed out that the average overdraft fee is $35 even though majority of overdrafts are under $26 and paid back with-in 3 days. The new regulation will push overdraft fees down to as little as $3 and not more than $14, saving the American public collectively 3.5 billion dollars a year.

The Environmental Protection Agency put forward a regulation to fine oil and gas companies for emitting methane. Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas, after CO2 and is responsible for 30% of the rise of global temperatures. This represents the first time the federal government has taxed a greenhouse gas. The EPA believes this rule will help reduce methane emissions by 80%

The Energy Department has awarded $104 million in grants to support clean energy projects at federal buildings, including solar panels at the Pentagon. The federal government is the biggest consumer of energy in the nation. The project is part Biden's goal of reducing the federal government's greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030. The Energy Department estimates it'll save taxpayers $29 million in the first year alone and will have the same impact on emissions as taking over 23,000 gas powered cars off the road.

The Education Department has cancelled 5 billion more dollars of student loan debt. This will effect 74,000 more borrowers, this brings the total number of people who've had their student loan debt forgiven under Biden through different programs to 3.7 Million

U.S. Agency for International Development has launched a program to combat lead exposure in developing countries like South Africa and India. Lead kills 1.6 million people every year, more than malaria and AIDS put together.

Congressional Democrats have reached a deal with their Republican counter parts to revive the expanded the Child Tax Credit. The bill will benefit 16 million children in its first year and is expected to lift 400,000 children out of poverty in its first year. The proposed deal also has a housing provision that could see 200,000 new affordable rental units

[spiritsrituals]

whisky promoter in india

whisky promoter in india, the amber nectar, continues to dominate the palate in India. It is the preferred pout and the most enjoyed Spirit in the country. As elsewhere, even though Gin is gaining a lot of attention, but Whisky continues to be on top of the game.

The last 18 months have been dominated by Covid situation, impacting all F&B in India, including spirits. The Covid situation now seems in control; across the country except states of Maharashtra ( Mumbai ) & Kerala, where the numbers are still a challenge.New Delhi & NCR is well paced with Positivity ratio being less than 1 %. Vaccination rates have come down, but numbers are still high across most states.Hills Stations and Tourism spots are witnessing massive crowds thus endangering the covid climate once again.Medical Community & the Govt are preparing for the impending third wave, which is being predicted either in Oct or even Dec.Growth in Real Estate industry on premium housing. Growth witnessed in people buying houses in the hills. Large offices opening with 50% employees. Global brands are still WFH till Oct 2021, at this stage. There is reduced movement in High energy Zones like Bars, Night Life, Premium Dining, etc.. Wedding beginning to pick up with smaller guest lists of 50 -150. There is also  a defined movement towards most affluence Indians looking at moving overseas – Dubai, Australia, Canada and UK being favourite

The F&B Environment in India is an upswing, as cities and states continue to open up.

Hotels and F&B Outlets have opened with 50% capacity. Bars have also opened but not witnessing large number of guests – Less than 30%. Over 35% outlets in premium dining may not open again, as perestimate at stage. Outlets are offering as much 33% discount on dining, with an average cheque US$20.00 per head. Most stand alone F&B Outlets are witnessing 40%-60% average footfalls, from 2019.Malls are witnessing 50%-60% footfalls but not much conversion in sales. Higher base of customers in local markets & for weekly shopping. There is a good response to fast food & Indian snacks – up by over 60%. Pizza is the most ordered fast food, followed by Burgers and then Indian Samosa. Full meals are being ordered at least twice a week by over 20% households, average US$ 80 per order. Huge growth in cloud kitchens & home delivery services. Growth in Indian regional cuisines & local chefs. There is also high growth in Indian Home chefs & home-made condiments. Hotels are offering Premium food Hampers with multiple cuisines, at over 40% discount from pre Covid rates.Most people who could not afford Hotels, are now enjoying hotel foods delivered at home, at 40%-50% lesser price. Hotels like The Taj Hotels are opening food trucks to cater to quality fast foods. Large Growth in health foods, spices & condiments. There is also large growth in home Cocktail Mixes, Tonic Water & Mixers. Home catering is picking up well, with packaged & designed hampers. There is definitive growth in premium alcohol & spirits. Growth in Healthy Dining & Premium Foods. Most Trends are here to stay – Health & Healthy Foods. Home Bars & entertainment at home – High Possibility of revival

All Things Beverage

Retail sales are at all time high with shops recording over 200% growth in the last few months. Hotels &Stand alone Bars are doingmodest business, less than 30%, but high opportunity in the next 6 months. The Duty Free is at an all-time low, but looking to ramp up in 12 months with international travel picking up again.Home Drinking – Starts on Tuesday & weekends are looking more “food oriented”. Over 20 flavours of mixers are on offer across premium outlets. Cigars are gaining ground with more smokers buying in India. Gin & Whisky top as Spirits of Choice. Rum & Tequila are on limited offer. Vodka picks up every so often often based on crowd. Bar displays – In Vogue. Movements towards Premiumization of Spirits. Whisky – Top of the Value Chain. New guidelines on Communication of Beverage Brands. Digital gains prominence, though physical event will start again by Sept 2021

New Trends

The above points can be used as an input on going ahead with all areas.The consumer profile remains the same though there may be changes in their thinking. New Excise Policy in New Delhi – Encouraging, will lead to higher sales. New Excise Policy in Gurugram – Expected in 2 months. High end retail being planned across key markets in India. Higher focus of new Investors on catering to home services, fresh foods, fruits & condiments than bars. Investors are keen on low investments cloud kitchens, than investing in outlets in premium bars in “loud” locations. Move towards backing promising Mixologists / Chefs to offer & create own brand of Cocktail F&B Outlets / Outlets. Investors keen on creating home grown F&B Brands seeing the success of othere. Home chefs looking at small outlets & investors.

Social Trends

New Bars coming up in Goa & smaller towns

Neighbourhood bars may be the new trend in 2022

Beam Suntory join’s Diageo & Pernod Ricard on top

Reduced rate of footfalls in Bars in Malls – Needs to be studied

Most younger people are relocating out of large towns, which is impacting office operations, such large companies / brands are looking at moving out of CBDs

******

SLL also feels that these are current trends and things may change in the next 12 – 18 months

It is imperative to adopt the new learning’s, refresh the product offering & launch again in India.

The new marketing activity will need to start afresh & all old work may need to be updated

SLL will start afresh, with redefined leanings and the new environment in Beverages & Bars

Based on our joint plan on moving ahead, SLL is ready to launch any Marketing & Market Development  exercise for Paragraph, UK in India

Whisky production has evolved in the last few years, in India. As per a Spokesperson of Paul John Distillery, “Changes are being seen and felt across, all Indian whisky has been changing on all points over the last few years. As consumers become more aware, and with more international brands now available, Indian Whiskies discovered the need to hold their own against global products and have striven to do so with success. New technology and innovations have been introduced across the board, including innovative packaging, better testing in accordance with global norms and information available on the labels as per FSSAI implementation in the country. More and more whiskies are using high quality Indian malt spirit along with grain-based ENA or even pure malts and Single Malts, all of which require not only resources and innovation but also need much stricter Quality Assurance processes.

Indian whisky (IMFL) historically has been made from molasses-based ENA blended with flavours due to the high availability of the by-product in our country. Over time, consumers have developed a taste for grain based and malt based whiskies and as such, the core DNA of most Indian whiskies has changed from cane based to grain based. The economy segment across India still dominates the volume of alcohol consumption. Having said that, we have observed that with the improvement in standard of living coupled with the awareness, exposure and evolving preferences will certainly redefine the Indian consumption pattern.

Though according to Mr. ThiruvikramNikam, Joint Managing Director of Amrut Whiskies,“The process of whisky production is more or less standard across the globe. However, there has been a massive change in the technology leading to improvements in the quality of the products while being environment conscious. Styling is an ongoing change that reflects the trend to connect in different ways with the customers.Though the basic production process remains the same but there is an increasing use of Grain Alcohol in Whisky making in India instead of Molasses Alcohol.  Also increasing blending with Indian Malt spirit alongwith Scotch Malts.

The key factor in terms of production norms is sustainability and quality assurance. This includes the ability to consistently source high quality raw and packing materials as well as establish and maintain control on the factory floor to ensure consistent quality is provided. Based on one’s experience, these factors vary from one company to another. General key factors revolve around the raw materials, fermentation time, pot stills, casks etc., to produce quality new make spirit and by extension a great malt whisky.

Today’s Indian consumer is much more globally aware. They are highly exposed to global/international products and therefore are constantly and actively seeking out new and exciting options. Alcoholic beverages are now more acceptable, and the urban consumer specially is more educated and prefers to shop in large format stores where he can explore a wider range of options.The data reveals that there is a surge in sales of premium products which only goes to show that consumer exposure and preferences have evolved to enjoy better character and profile of whisky, rum or brandy. Also, the fact that availability and consumption of variety of brands from across the globe is an indication of the evolving consumer pattern. According to Sanjeev Banga, President, RadicoKhaitan, a leading Indian Company, “The Indian consumer has evolved a lot in the past few years and if fairly knowledgeable. They are seeking better quality products and willing to experiment and try newer blends.

There are new trends being witnessed in consumer behaviour as well. Product innovation and premiumisation are the key and bodes well for the future of Whisky in India. The Indian consumer demands high quality both in product and packaging, while still seeking value. MOTs and Modern trade outlets that allow consumers to enjoy a personal shopping experience will continue to grow, in turn encouraging consumers to explore multiple brands in addition to their brand of choice, their preferences may change based on occasion as well.

Consumers are showing keenness to enjoy quality products. Seeing this change, companies are gearing up to move towards premium segment of supply. In terms of marketing, the virtual whisky releases and tastings are here to stay for a while. The pandemic has made that aspect of brand building and storytelling possible with the consumer.Pandemic has resulted in more home consumption, upgradation to premium brands and taboos relating to alcohol consumption are coming down.   More and more consumers are now drinking to enjoy and celebrate rather than to get drunk.

So what are the new consumer consumption patterns in India.! According to a Spokesperson from Paul John Distillery, “ The biggest change has been the acceptability of alcoholic beverages as just another beverage and their entry into the urban households. Today, it is quite acceptable to offer a guest a drink at home. This has allowed for consumption patterns to shift from a drinking session to sessions with friends and family where alcohol may also be served.The consumers today are much more evolved due to their exposure to more options. They know their tastes and are not afraid to experiment. This change is observed across all age groups, but mostly at the prestige and above price points.The consumers are becoming creators in their own right. While enjoying their whisky in the traditional way, they are also engaging in putting together easy-to-make cocktails that can give their favorite whisky a new dimension.According to Sanjeev Banga, “ There is increasing acceptance of the fact that India today is producing World Class Whiskies be it Blended or Single Malts.  The Indian consumer now takes pride in the consuming Indian products and the craze for imported brands in gradually coming down.

There have been changing consumer preferences towards Whisky Styles, Regions, Countries, Palate as well. The biggest change is the move towards authentic, malt-based whiskies. As they experiment with various styles of whiskies, the consumers are developing sophisticated palates which allow for more variety in styles and finishes. Going forward, special finish whiskies will grow in size as they offer the consumer something over and above the standard fare. Though according to Mr. ThiruvikramNikam, Joint Managing Director of Amrut Whiskies, “Indian are known to like smoky whiskies (in varying range of intensity) and we have also observed that people take great liking towards having whiskies from across the globe. The consumers are wide ranging. They are new and evolved, young and older. They offer a mixture of opinions and views that brands are out to seek.More and more people are now drinking to enjoy the moment, be it with family, friends or in celebration of an occasion.

Indian are appreciating&enjoying their whiskies, more than ever before. Every consumer has his own way of enjoying a Whisky. Overall, however, we can say that consumers enjoy whiskies as they are, with less emphasis on flavoured mixers.People are enjoying their whiskies the way they like it and that is how it should be. Having said that, for a malt enthusiast, it is an exploration and normally they enjoy it neat or with a splash of water.Along with premium product offerings the resultant packaging has also improved tremendously and now you can get world class Indian products in packaging similar to international brands.

One of the key factors has been the change in packaging. Brads including Amorim Top Series, Portugal and Bruni Glass, Italy besides Wade Ceramics, England are offering world class solutions to the Indian spirit industry. Packaging has definitely changed over time. FSSAI and global packing norms have been key drivers in this change, consumers have also actively encouraged this change due to the growing urge to know what they are buying. Detailed information on labels, innovative designs that catch the eye and emphasise the quality of the liquid etc are specially noticed with regard to premium categories. According to ThiruvikramNikam, “Today brands are using the packaging to convey the uniqueness of their produce and enlighten the consumers to read and make a choice.

So after all this does Age continue to be a huge factor with Indian consumers. According to Paul John, “ Age is definitely a factor but more for the manufacturer than the consumer. With the much higher efficacy of maturation in the subcontinent, a whisky aged for 3 years here displays similar maturity to whiskies aged 8-12 years in colder climates like Scotland. The correct ageing of whisky is very important for manufacturers to get the product right. The consumer relates more with the experience of the finished product. Global malts are also slowly moving away from making age statements in acknowledgement of this fact, It is an undisputable fact that ageing of whisky is imperative to relish and enjoy it. Age plays an essential role in shaping up the whisky. However, the length of ageing depends and varies from place to place. Consumers now know better to look beyond the age and enjoy the whisky on its merit.

Though RadicoKhaitan, the makers of Rampur Single Malt Indian Whisky avers, Sanjeev Banga President, states, “ We strongly believe Age is just a number.  Specially in Indian weather conditions where malt maturation is 3 to 4 times faster than Scotland.  What is important is the taste of the whisky on the palate and not the Age.  More and more consumers, specially for Single Malts are now aware of the fact that Single Malts coming from new world may not carry any Age Statement but are at par, if not better than number of brands that carry age statements.

Trade Channels

The pandemic has virtually wiped out the on-premise channel. This has made the off/retail channel much more important than it previously was.In India, trade and channels vary from state to state based on state government policies. Now retailers are offering consumers a retail experience unlike before. Yes, very much so. The threat of the pandemic has made people wary on close quarter engagements and gathering. While social distancing is the norm, a lot of the consumer outreach program has taken stream virtually offering a unique solution and opportunities for brand building and marketing.Online and Home delivery are the new norms.  Though still at a nascent stage in India but growing everyday.

Brand Marketing & Consumer Outreach

With the decimation of on-premise channels, it is no longer possible to allow consumers to experience new products or to pair food and drink for a new experience. In store marketing options are also highly limited. Thus marketing and consumer outreach has moved from the physical world to mass and virtual media where consumers share their experiences and build communities around brands. Since advertising is still not legally allowed for the industry in India, this means that consumer outreach is primarily based on word of mouth on social platforms today.

Digital marketing and social media are the new buzz words and their influence will keep growing in future

A Toast to the Future

Whisky accounts for nearly 70% of all spirit sales in the country. It is. While a lot of the categories in India are being shaken up and are creating a lot of buzz and activity, whisky is the dominant category in India and will remain to be for the foreseeable future.This is not likely to change in the immediate future. Though Gin as a category is growing at a very rapid pace, but on a very small base. Whisky will continue to flourish in India, however the next few years look tough for Made-In-India whiskies due to changing govt. policies. While we have already achieved parity or surpassed most global brands in terms of quality and packaging, the statutory and regulatory environment in India is highly skewed against domestic spirits. Global brands already have a massive advantage with fixed annual market costs in most states, as well as lower % taxes at the local level. They are also able to get around the Indian laws prohibiting advertising by running their global campaigns online. With the govt. mulling reduction of import customs duties, the disadvantage for Indian products will only increase.I’ll respond to this from Amrut’s perspective, we are adored for our innovation and unprecedented releases of single malt expressions like Herald, Naarangi, Spectrum …, continuing this trend we will soon be going to release first of its kind expressions in India and the globe. According to Sanjeev Banga, President, RadicoKhaitan, a leading Indian Company, “ As they say, best is yet to come. There is increasing premiumisation in the Whisky space and more producers are entering the Indian Single Malt category.  The future looks very promising for Indian Whiskies not only in India but globally.  India has so much to offer to the world in terms of its unique and innovative products.

[greenthestral]

UIIC (USA, Indonesia, India, China): Four Countries Make Up Half the World's Population

In a world where countries are diverse and cultures vary greatly, there are four nations that stand out due to their sheer population size. The United States, Indonesia, India, and China, collectively known as the UIIC countries, are home to approximately half of the world's population. This article delves into the significance of these nations, their impact on global demographics, and the unique challenges and opportunities they face.

The United States: A Melting Pot of Cultures and Ideas

The United States, with a population exceeding 330 million people, remains one of the most influential and economically powerful countries in the world. Renowned for its "melting pot" of cultures and diverse demographics, the U.S. has been a beacon of opportunity for individuals from all walks of life. People flock to its shores in pursuit of the American Dream, seeking better opportunities, freedom, and a chance to contribute to its vibrant society.

Beyond its vast population, the United States has left an indelible mark on global culture, politics, and technology. It has been at the forefront of scientific and technological innovations, fostering advancements in fields such as space exploration, medicine, and information technology. Furthermore, its entertainment industry, centered in Hollywood, has captivated audiences worldwide, shaping popular culture and influencing trends in music, film, and fashion.

Indonesia: A Rising Economic Power in Southeast Asia

With a population of over 270 million people, Indonesia stands as the fourth-most populous nation on the planet. Spanning thousands of islands, Indonesia boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. Its diversity is a testament to the country's vibrant heritage and harmonious coexistence.

In recent years, Indonesia has experienced significant economic growth, propelling it to become a rising star in Southeast Asia. The nation's abundant natural resources, strategic location, and young and dynamic workforce have attracted substantial foreign investment. Indonesia's economic trajectory, coupled with its commitment to sustainable development, positions it as an important player in regional and global markets.

India: A Land of Diversity and Rapid Development

India, the world's second-most populous country, surpasses the 1.3 billion mark in population. This vast and diverse nation is a tapestry of languages, religions, and cultural practices. Its ancient civilization and rich history have contributed to a deep sense of cultural pride and identity.

In recent decades, India has undergone remarkable economic growth, transforming itself into one of the fastest-growing major economies. The country's demographic dividend, characterized by a large and young workforce, has been a driving force behind its economic rise. India has emerged as a global leader in the information technology and services sectors, with its bustling cities serving as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Despite its rapid development, India faces unique challenges related to poverty, inequality, and infrastructure development. However, the government and various stakeholders are actively working towards inclusive growth, social welfare programs, and sustainable development to address these issues.

China: A Giant on the Global Stage

China, with a population approaching 1.4 billion, stands as the most populous country in the world. Its ancient civilization, remarkable cultural heritage, and rapid economic rise have captivated the attention of the international community. China's influence extends far beyond its borders, impacting global trade, geopolitical affairs, and technological advancements.

China's manufacturing capabilities have been unparalleled, making it the world's factory. Its infrastructure development projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, have linked nations across continents, fostering connectivity and enhancing global trade. Moreover, China has made significant investments in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration, positioning itself as a formidable player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Challenges and Opportunities for the UIIC Countries

While the UIIC countries collectively represent a significant portion of the world's population, they also face unique challenges and opportunities:

Managing Urbanization and Infrastructure: As these countries continue to experience population growth and rapid urbanization, managing sustainable infrastructure development becomes paramount. Balancing economic progress with environmental considerations and social stability poses a complex challenge that requires innovative solutions.

Healthcare and Social Welfare: With large populations comes the responsibility of providing adequate healthcare and social welfare services. Ensuring access to quality education, healthcare facilities, and social safety nets is essential to promote overall well-being and reduce disparities within these nations.

Technological Advancements: The UIIC countries are at the forefront of technological innovation and advancement. Embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, renewable energy, and digital connectivity can drive economic growth, increase productivity, and improve the quality of life for their citizens.

Global Cooperation and Diplomacy: As influential nations, the UIIC countries play a vital role in global cooperation and diplomacy. Collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and economic inequality are essential for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Conclusion

The UIIC countries, comprising the United States, Indonesia, India, and China, collectively represent an astounding portion of the world's population and exert immense influence on the global stage. Each of these nations brings unique characteristics, challenges, and opportunities to the table, and understanding their significance and fostering cooperation among them can pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive world. As these countries continue to evolve, their impact on global demographics, economy, and culture is set to be profound.

United States: As the third most populous country globally, the United States holds a prominent position in shaping the global landscape. Its democratic values, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural diversity have made it a beacon of opportunity and innovation. The United States has long been at the forefront of scientific research, technological advancements, and economic prowess. It boasts some of the world's leading universities, research institutions, and corporations, driving breakthroughs in various fields, including healthcare, information technology, and renewable energy. Additionally, its robust entertainment industry has garnered a global following, exporting music, movies, and popular culture that resonate across borders.

Indonesia: With the fourth-largest population in the world, Indonesia is an archipelago nation that spans thousands of islands, each contributing to its rich cultural heritage. As a rising economic power in Southeast Asia, Indonesia's vibrant markets and burgeoning middle class present significant opportunities for both domestic and international businesses. The country's young and dynamic workforce, coupled with its vast natural resources, make it an attractive destination for foreign investments. However, Indonesia faces challenges in infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, and maintaining environmental sustainability. By addressing these issues and promoting inclusive growth, Indonesia can harness its potential and become an even stronger player in the global economy.

India: As the world's second-most populous country, India's cultural diversity, ancient history, and rapid development make it a force to be reckoned with. India's large and youthful population has propelled it to become one of the fastest-growing major economies. The country has embraced information technology and services, with cities like Bangalore emerging as global technology hubs. India's robust startup ecosystem has given rise to innovative solutions in various sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and healthcare. However, India grapples with challenges such as poverty, infrastructure gaps, and social inequalities. By addressing these issues, investing in education, and leveraging its demographic dividend, India can chart a course towards sustainable and inclusive development.

China: With the world's largest population, China's rise as a global economic powerhouse has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past few decades, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. Its manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure development projects, and investments in technology have made it a major player in the global market. China's Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious infrastructure program, aims to enhance connectivity and promote economic cooperation across continents. The nation's commitment to research and development has propelled it to the forefront of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy. However, China faces challenges related to environmental degradation, social inequality, and human rights concerns. Addressing these challenges while continuing to foster innovation and sustainable development will shape China's role in the global community.

The significance of the UIIC countries extends beyond their sheer population size. Their collective influence spans across various domains, including trade, politics, culture, and technological advancements. Cooperation among these nations can drive progress in addressing global challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and economic inequality. By sharing best practices, collaborating on research and development, and promoting cultural exchange, the UIIC countries can foster a more interconnected and harmonious world.

Furthermore, the UIIC countries' impact on global demographics cannot be overstated. Their population dynamics, urbanization patterns, and social trends shape global migration, labor markets, and cultural exchanges. As these countries continue to evolve, their demographic shifts will have ripple effects on regional and global economies, healthcare systems, and social welfare policies.

In terms of the global economy, the UIIC countries serve as major engines of growth and consumption. Their domestic markets and investments influence industries ranging from technology and finance to manufacturing and entertainment. Moreover, their economic policies, trade agreements, and geopolitical relations have far-reaching implications for global trade and financial stability.

Culturally, the UIIC countries contribute to the world's cultural tapestry through their arts, languages, cuisines, and traditions. Their vibrant cultures and diverse populations enrich global cultural exchanges, promoting understanding, tolerance, and appreciation of different perspectives.

In conclusion, the UIIC countries - the United States, Indonesia, India, and China - collectively represent half of the world's population and play a pivotal role in shaping the global landscape. Their unique characteristics, challenges, and opportunities present a rich tapestry of potential for collaboration and progress. By understanding their significance, fostering cooperation, and addressing shared challenges, we can work towards a more prosperous, inclusive, and interconnected world. The impact of the UIIC countries on global demographics, economy, and culture will undoubtedly be profound as they continue to evolve and shape the future of our interconnected world.

[reasonsforhope]

Masterpost: Reasons I firmly believe we will beat climate change

Posts are in reverse chronological order (by post date, not article date), mostly taken from my "climate change" tag, which I went through all the way back to the literal beginning of my blog. Will update periodically.

Especially big deal articles/posts are in bold.

Big picture:

Mature trees offer hope in world of rising emissions (x)

Spying from space: How satellites can help identify and rein in a potent climate pollutant (x)

Good news: Tiny urban green spaces can cool cities and save lives (x)

Conservation and economic development go hand in hand, more often than expected (x)

The exponential growth of solar power will change the world (x)

Sun Machines: Solar, an energy that gets cheaper and cheaper, is going to be huge (x)

Wealthy nations finally deliver promised climate aid, as calls for more equitable funding for poor countries grow (x)

For Earth Day 2024, experts are spreading optimism – not doom. Here's why. (x)

Opinion: I’m a Climate Scientist. I’m Not Screaming Into the Void Anymore. (x)

The World’s Forests Are Doing Much Better Than We Think (x)

‘Staggering’ green growth gives hope for 1.5C, says global energy chief (x)

Beyond Catastrophe: A New Climate Reality Is Coming Into View (x)

Young Forests Capture Carbon Quicker than Previously Thought (x)

Yes, climate change can be beaten by 2050. Here's how. (x)

Soil improvements could keep planet within 1.5C heating target, research shows (x)

The global treaty to save the ozone layer has also slowed Arctic ice melt (x)

The doomers are wrong about humanity’s future — and its past (x)

Scientists Find Methane is Actually Offsetting 30% of its Own Heating Effect on Planet (x)

Are debt-for-climate swaps finally taking off? (x)

High seas treaty: historic deal to protect international waters finally reached at UN (x)

How Could Positive ‘Tipping Points’ Accelerate Climate Action? (x)

Specific examples:

Environmental Campaigners Celebrate As Labour Ends Tory Ban On New Onshore Wind Projects (x)

Private firms are driving a revolution in solar power in Africa (x)

How the small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu drastically cut plastic pollution (x)

Rewilding sites have seen 400% increase in jobs since 2008, research finds [Scotland] (x)

The American Climate Corps take flight, with most jobs based in the West (x)

Waste Heat Generated from Electronics to Warm Finnish City in Winter Thanks to Groundbreaking Thermal Energy Project (x)

Climate protection is now a human right — and lawsuits will follow [European Union] (x)

A new EU ecocide law ‘marks the end of impunity for environmental criminals’ (x)

Solar hits a renewable energy milestone not seen since WWII [United States] (x)

These are the climate grannies. They’ll do whatever it takes to protect their grandchildren. [United States and Native American Nations] (x)

Century of Tree Planting Stalls the Warming Effects in the Eastern United States, Says Study (x)

Chart: Wind and solar are closing in on fossil fuels in the EU (x)

UK use of gas and coal for electricity at lowest since 1957, figures show (x)

Countries That Generate 100% Renewable Energy Electricity (x)

Indigenous advocacy leads to largest dam removal project in US history [United States and Native American Nations] (x)

India’s clean energy transition is rapidly underway, benefiting the entire world (x)

China is set to shatter its wind and solar target five years early, new report finds (x)

‘Game changing’: spate of US lawsuits calls big oil to account for climate crisis (x)

Largest-ever data set collection shows how coral reefs can survive climate change (x)

The Biggest Climate Bill of Your Life - But What Does It DO? [United States] (x)

Good Climate News: Headline Roundup April 1st through April 15th, 2023 (x)

How agroforestry can restore degraded lands and provide income in the Amazon (x) [Brazil]

Loss of Climate-Crucial Mangrove Forests Has Slowed to Near-Negligable Amount Worldwide, Report Hails (x)

Agroecology schools help communities restore degraded land in Guatemala (x)

Climate adaptation:

Solar-powered generators pull clean drinking water 'from thin air,' aiding communities in need: 'It transforms lives' (x)

‘Sponge’ Cities Combat Urban Flooding by Letting Nature Do the Work [China] (x)

Indian Engineers Tackle Water Shortages with Star Wars Tech in Kerala (x)

A green roof or rooftop solar? You can combine them in a biosolar roof — boosting both biodiversity and power output (x)

Global death tolls from natural disasters have actually plummeted over the last century (x)

Los Angeles Just Proved How Spongy a City Can Be (x)

This city turns sewage into drinking water in 24 hours. The concept is catching on [Namibia] (x)

Plants teach their offspring how to adapt to climate change, scientists find (x)

Resurrecting Climate-Resilient Rice in India (x)

Other Masterposts:

Going carbon negative and how we're going to fix global heating (x)

[determinate-negation]

“This raises the question: if industrial production is necessary to meet decent-living standards today, then perhaps capitalism—notwithstanding its negative impact on social indicators over the past five hundred years—is necessary to develop the industrial capacity to meet these higher-order goals. This has been the dominant assumption in development economics for the past half century. But it does not withstand empirical scrutiny. For the majority of the world, capitalism has historically constrained, rather than enabled, technological development—and this dynamic remains a major problem today.

It has long been recognized by liberals and Marxists alike that the rise of capitalism in the core economies was associated with rapid industrial expansion, on a scale with no precedent under feudalism or other precapitalist class structures. What is less widely understood is that this very same system produced the opposite effect in the periphery and semi-periphery. Indeed, the forced integration of peripheral regions into the capitalist world-system during the period circa 1492 to 1914 was characterized by widespread deindustrialization and agrarianization, with countries compelled to specialize in agricultural and other primary commodities, often under “pre-modern” and ostensibly “feudal” conditions.

In Eastern Europe, for instance, the number of people living in cities declined by almost one-third during the seventeenth century, as the region became an agrarian serf-economy exporting cheap grain and timber to Western Europe. At the same time, Spanish and Portuguese colonizers were transforming the American continents into suppliers of precious metals and agricultural goods, with urban manufacturing suppressed by the state. When the capitalist world-system expanded into Africa in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, imports of British cloth and steel destroyed Indigenous textile production and iron smelting, while Africans were instead made to specialize in palm oil, peanuts, and other cheap cash crops produced with enslaved labor. India—once the great manufacturing hub of the world—suffered a similar fate after colonization by Britain in 1757. By 1840, British colonizers boasted that they had “succeeded in converting India from a manufacturing country into a country exporting raw produce.” Much the same story unfolded in China after it was forced to open its domestic economy to capitalist trade during the British invasion of 1839–42. According to historians, the influx of European textiles, soap, and other manufactured goods “destroyed rural handicraft industries in the villages, causing unemployment and hardship for the Chinese peasantry.”

The great deindustrialization of the periphery was achieved in part through policy interventions by the core states, such as through the imposition of colonial prohibitions on manufacturing and through “unequal treaties,” which were intended to destroy industrial competition from Southern producers, establish captive markets for Western industrial output, and position Southern economies as providers of cheap labor and resources. But these dynamics were also reinforced by structural features of profit-oriented markets. Capitalists only employ new technologies to the extent that it is profitable for them to do so. This can present an obstacle to economic development if there is little demand for domestic industrial production (due to low incomes, foreign competition, etc.), or if the costs of innovation are high.

Capitalists in the Global North overcame these problems because the state intervened extensively in the economy by setting high tariffs, providing public subsidies, assuming the costs of research and development, and ensuring adequate consumer demand through government spending. But in the Global South, where state support for industry was foreclosed by centuries of formal and informal colonialism, it has been more profitable for capitalists to export cheap agricultural goods than to invest in high-technology manufacturing. The profitability of new technologies also depends on the cost of labor. In the North, where wages are comparatively high, capitalists have historically found it profitable to employ labor-saving technologies. But in the peripheral economies, where wages have been heavily compressed, it has often been cheaper to use labor-intensive production techniques than to pay for expensive machinery.

Of course, the global division of labor has changed since the late nineteenth century. Many of the leading industries of that time, including textiles, steel, and assembly line processes, have now been outsourced to low-wage peripheral economies like India and China, while the core states have moved to innovation activities, high-technology aerospace and biotech engineering, information technology, and capital-intensive agriculture. Yet still the basic problem remains. Under neoliberal globalization (structural adjustment programs and WTO rules), governments in the periphery are generally precluded from using tariffs, subsidies, and other forms of industrial policy to achieve meaningful development and economic sovereignty, while labor market deregulation and global labor arbitrage have kept wages extremely low. In this context, the drive to maximize profit leads Southern capitalists and foreign investors to pour resources into relatively low-technology export sectors, at the expense of more modern lines of industry.

Moreover, for those parts of the periphery that occupy the lowest rungs in global commodity chains, production continues to be organized along so-called pre-modern lines, even under the new division of labor. In the Congo, for instance, workers are sent into dangerous mineshafts without any modern safety equipment, tunneling deep into the ground with nothing but shovels, often coerced at gunpoint by U.S.-backed militias, so that Microsoft and Apple can secure cheap coltan for their electronics devices. Pre-modern production processes predicated on the “technology” of labor coercion are also found in the cocoa plantations of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where enslaved children labor in brutal conditions for corporations like Cadbury, or Colombia’s banana export sector, where a hyper-exploited peasantry is kept in line by a regime of rural terror and extrajudicial killings overseen by private death squads.

Uneven global development, including the endurance of ostensibly “feudal” relations of production, is not inevitable. It is an effect of capitalist dynamics. Capitalists in the periphery find it more profitable to employ cheap labor subject to conditions of slavery or other forms of coercion than they do to invest in modern industry.”

Capitalism, Global Poverty, and the Case for Democratic Socialism by Jason Hickle and Dylan Sullivan

[communist-ojou-sama]

By the way, another little point of hope and optimism to hold onto is that on the point of international law and Israel's flouting of it, a lot of people are justifiably, and with great frustration, asking "what's the point of it if it doesn't apply now?" Well, based on the US' own abrupt about face we can see that it Does matter, and the reason why is good news. See, the truth of the matter is that those of you who aren't fellow Geopolitics Heads might not realize this, and take it as axiomatic that the US is still The Global Hegemon that does as it pleases on the world stage, but increasingly, especially in these past 5 years in particular, that whole reality has been beginning to fall apart.

The truth is, in spite of the scam that is orthodox development economics, little by little, the third world has in fact been rising up to the level with the parasite nations of the West. What this means is that more and more Brazil matters. Indonesia matters. China matters. India matters. Nigeria matters. South Africa matters. Iran matters. So many other countries matter. Not in some abstract moral sense, but in the sense that they are increasingly powerful, and increasingly independent global powers in a world order that is just beginning to take shape before our very eyes.

People forget, but at the height of its power, when the 3rd world was much weaker, the US used to make a big show of meticulously following international law in light of day and equally meticulously covering it up when they violated it, but as imperial collapse continues apace, the same decisionmaking positions are occupied by zealots who are unwilling to operate with the same care as their predecessors, arrogantly believing that the US can do whatever it wants to the rest of the world, even though increasingly, and I can't stress this enough, it cannot.

So while defeat is of course waiting for the Zionist Enemy as well, the US's full-throated support of its vicious attacks on Palestinian civilians has utterly eviscerated any remaining credibility as a fundamentally benign power the US may have had remaining just about anywhere after the Iraq war. Imperialist parasites flock together and they crash and burn together.

Point being, the days in which these ghouls can even appear to "get away with" this kind of barbarity on the global stage are numbered, and they will be over Far sooner than many of you may think. So keep fighting, keep preparing for your own fight when the US begins to collapse in earnest as well, but also take heart. Be ready to celebrate when the colonial regimes are defeated and the fascist international is extirpated, for that day will come without fail.

[phenakistoskope]

There is a difference between Bollywood and Bombay cinema?

listen, subcontinental cinema began in bombay; the very first exhibition of the lumieres' cinematographe was held there in 1896, a few months after its debut in paris, 1895. this event predates the discursive existence of bollywood and hollywood. shree pundalik and raja harishchandra, the films that are generally considered the very first subcontinental features were also exhibited there first.

subcontinental cinema under british colonialism was produced in certain metropolitan centers such as lahore, hyderabad, and calcutta; bombay was just one of them. in 1947, when the indian nation state was formally inaugurated, the idea of a "national cinema" began forming, but given the cultural and linguistic heterogeneity of the indian union, this was quite untenable. regional popular cinemas flourished well into the 1950, 60s, 70s, and 80s and various art cinemas began taking shape alongside.

under the economy that i'm going to completely elide as "nehruvian "socialism"" bombay cinema focused on broadly "socialist" themes, think of awara (1951), do beegha zameen (1953), pyaasa (1957), all of which focus on inequality in indian economy and society from different perspectives. these films were peppered in with historical dramas, and adaptations from literature, but the original stories tended towards socialist realism. reformist films centering the family generally waxed poetic on the need to reform the family, but i haven't seen enough of these to really comment on them.

the biggest hit of the 70s, sholay (1975) was about two criminals, posited as heroes fighting gabbar singh who was attacking village folk. deewar (1975) also had two heroes, and the stakes were the two brothers' father's reputation; the father in question was a trade union leader accused of corruption.

"alternative cinema" included mani kaul's uski roti (1969) and Duvidha (1973) both of which were situated away from the city. then there's sayeed mirza and his city films, most of them set in bombay; arvind desai ki ajeeb dastan (1978), albert pinto ko gussa kyun aata hain (1980), saleem langre pe mat ro (1989) which are all extremely socialist films, albert pinto was set in the times of the bombay textiles strike of 1982 and literally quotes marx at one point. my point is that bombay cinema prior to liberalization was varied in its themes and representations, and it wasn't interested in being a "national cinema" very much, it was either interested in maximizing its domestic profits or being high art. note that these are all hindi language films, produced in bombay, or at least using capital from bombay. pyaasa, interestingly enough is set in calcutta, but it was filmed in bombay!

then we come to the 1990s, and i think the ur example of the bollywood film is dilwale dulhania le jayenge (1995) which, in stark contrast to the cinema that preceded it, centered two NRIs, simran and raj, who meet abroad, but epitomize their love in india, and go back to england (america?) as indians with indian culture. this begins a long saga of films originating largely in bombay that target a global audience of both indians and foreigners, in order to export an idea of india to the world. this is crucial for a rapidly neoliberalizing economy, and it coincides with the rise of the hindu right. gradually, urdu recedes from dialogue, the hindi is sankritized and cut with english, the indian family is at the center in a way that's very different for the social reform films of the 50s and 60s. dil chahta hai (2001) happens, where good little indian boys go to indian college, but their careers take them abroad. swadesh (2004) is about shah rukh khan learning that he's needed in india to solve its problems and leaves a job at NASA.

these are incidental, anecdotal illustrations of the differences in narrative for these separate eras of cinema, but let me ground it economically and say that bollywood cinema seeks investments and profits from abroad as well as acclaim and viewership from domestic audiences, in a way that the bombay cinema before it did not, despite the success of shree 420 (1955) in the soviet union; there were outliers, there always have been.

there's also a lot to say about narrative and style in bombay cinema (incredibly diverse) and bollywood cinema (very specific use of hollywood continuity, intercut with musical sequences, also drawn from hollywood). essentially, the histories, political economies, and aesthetics of these cinemas are too differentiated to consider them the same. bombay cinema is further internally differentiated, and that's a different story altogether. look, i could write a monograph on this, but that would take time, so let me add some reading material that will elucidate this without sounding quite as fragmented.

bollywood and globalization: indian popular cinema, nation, and diaspora, rini bhattacharya mehta and rajeshwari v. pandharipande (eds)

ideology of the hindi film: a historical construction, madhav prasad

the 'bollywoodization' of the indian cinema: cultural nationalism in a global arena, ashish rajadhyaksha

the globalization of bollywood: an ethnography of non-elite audiences in india, shakuntala rao

indian film, erik barnouw and s. krishnaswamy (this one's a straight history of subcontinental cinema up to the 60s, nothing to do with bollywood, it's just important because the word bollywood never comes up in it despite the heavy focus on hindi films from bombay, illustrating my point)

[indizombie]

Indian media's collapse has meant that serious issues such as unemployment do not get the attention they deserve. Joblessness is not framed as a question of political accountability but is couched in technocratic language and buried in a maze of data and conflicting claims. Those who intruded into parliament reportedly told the police they were upset about high rates of unemployment. Youth unemployment in India is at around a staggering 23 percent, the highest for any major global economy and nearly double that of neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh. For graduates under 25, a report by the Azim Premji University estimates, this number rises to 42 percent. IT firms such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro have announced they will reduce the hiring of engineering graduates by 30 percent-reducing it by 40 percent from the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology-leaving thousands of freshly graduated students without jobs. Since the onset of the 2022 funding winter, 34,785 employees have been laid off by just 121 Indian startups, with 15,247 of them fired by 69 Indian startups so far this year. An improvement is unlikely. Pranjul Bhandari, the chief India economist at Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, estimates that while India will need to create 70 million jobs over the next decade, it will only end up with 24 million. Put simply, India's demographic dividend has turned into a demographic disaster.

Sushant Singh, ‘Fire and Smoke’, Caravan

[rajvardhanrathore]

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[f1ghtsoftly]

All The Women’s News You Missed Last Week 9/16/24-9/23/24:

Hi, this newsletter is late. On Thursday, September 19th, I was the victim of a crime and needed emergency medical care. I am currently recovering with family outside the city. This is the earliest I could get out this project. I appreciate your understanding at this time.

Male Violence/Femicide: 

US: Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrest live updates: Charged with sex trafficking and racketeering 

India: West Bengal Assembly in India passes bill mandating life in prison or death penalty for rape convictions

France: Shocking rape trial highlights the systematic struggles French sexual abuse victims face

Australia: Suspect in 1977 Melbourne cold case arrested in Italy

US: Several Mark Robinson campaign staffers quit as fallout over online posts continues

Italy: Italy holds a trial into the killing of a woman that sparked debate over femicide

US: Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to new sexual assault charge 

UK: Harrods' ex-owner Al Fayed raped, assaulted staff over decades, lawyers say 

Reproductive Rights in the USA/Special Focus:

A dramatic rise in pregnant women dying in Texas after abortion ban 

Abortion Bans Have Delayed Emergency Medical Care. In Georgia, Experts Say This Mother’s Death Was Preventable.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Tennessee’s ‘abortion trafficking’ law

‘She should be alive today’ — Harris spotlights woman’s death to blast abortion bans and Trump

Western nations were desperate for Korean babies. Now many adoptees believe they were stolen

Euphoric two years ago, US anti-abortion movement is now divided and worried as election nears

US Senate IVF bill fails after Republicans block it, despite Trump support

Transgender News/Gender Critical:

Australia: Australian woman's complaint at hostel backfires as manager fires back: 'This guest is lucky we didn't press charges on her'

Women’s Achievements: 

US: 2 Black women could make Senate history on Election Day

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has more women voters than men but no female presidential candidates

US: ‘Hidden Figures’ of the space race receive Congress’ highest honor at medal ceremony

MISC: 

Sweden: Sweden charges woman with genocide, crimes against humanity in Syria

Arts and Culture: 

Music Review: Katy Perry returns with the uninspired and forgettable ‘143'

Why does ‘The Babadook’ still haunt? Its director, Jennifer Kent, has some answers

JoJo was a teen sensation. At 33, she’s found her voice again

'Agatha All Along' crafts a witch coven community run by women

Demi Lovato’s ‘Child Star’ Is Now Streaming on Hulu and Disney+

As always, this is global and domestic news from a US perspective covering feminist issues and women in the news more generally. As of right now, I do not cover Women’s Sports. Published each Monday afternoon.

I am looking for better sources on women’s arts and culture outside of the English-speaking world, if you know of any-please be in touch.

[elbiotipo]

Thinking about superheroes as a Usamerican thing.

You see, the thing about the United States during the 20th century is that it didn't experience major unrest. I know what you're going to say, and yes, there was PLENTY of unrest. But overall, the structure of the state was never compromised. There was never a coup, there was never a civil war, there was never a foreign invasion. War? It did happen, but in distant shores. You could live (and indeed, many did live) a comfortable life for decades without any kind of major political struggle reaching you. Many classic superhero stories have them showing up somewhere before or during WWII, just when the US was reaching the zenith of its global power.

And that's why a superhero in the United States has it easy. Just fight crime, and the ocassional supervillain, or alien invaders. Truth, Justice, and the (Us)american way. After all, you are convinced that you are fighting for democracy and liberty, who wouldn't want to do that? Okay, but what about civil rights and such? Oh, no need to get into politics, just do a speech about how kindness is the way, without getting into specifics. Most famous people do (many famous people did). It's easy. The government of the US will change parties, things will change, but at the end, you have decades of prosperity ahead, without really needing to pick a side, just punch bad guys.

What if Superman had landed in Santa Rosa, Territorio Nacional de La Pampa, Argentina instead? Say, somewhere in the 30s. During the Década Infame, coming of age during Perón's rise to power. What would an Argentine Superman do? Would he support Perón against the "Revolución Libertadora" coup? What would he do when the military's Gloster Meteors fly over Plaza de Mayo and bomb civilians? What would have he done as the military couped civilian governments and repressed protests? What would have he had done as the country split over ideological lines? When the dictators kidnapped and dissapeared people from the street and stole their children? When the struggle between popular movements and the interests of the oligarchs was very, very open? Would just a bland statement would suffice?

What if, instead, he had landed in Jinan, Shandong, China, again, somewhere during the 30s. As the Japanese were invading. This isn't like the US, where they could participate in World War II from far away. The enemies are at the gates. And after that, there is a civil war between communists and nationalists. There are sides to pick. There are big changes to come, there is a new China, there is a revolution, there is a Cold War, there is an industrialization that will change the lives of millions, there is struggle, against enemies abroad, and revolutions inside.

For that matter, China has the largest population in the world during this era. Others like India aren't that far behind. As it often happens with superhero settings, soon other superheroes and villains will appear and do the whole justice league thing. Now, why are they all in the US? Even assuming the US is the core of superpowers, with all the aliens landing and mad science going on... don't you think that there would be more of them in the Third World, just out of sheer demographics. Isn't the USSR, Japan, and other countries doing also its mad science experiments? Who are their superheroes?

And what side do all those "super-people" take? Because it can't just be Truth, Justice and the American way. They don't even call themselves American... unless they were, indeed, born in Latin America. Why does Capitán América has to carry the US flag, anyways?

Where am I going with this? Don't know, just something to think. It's kinda strange that none of these super-people have REALLY to take a side beyond a vague 'good vs. evil' right? I bet at least some of them has some kind of political opinion. And the means to enact it on the world.

[metamatar]

In 1975, civilian nuclear technology was part of a worldwide strategy to bring the Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC) to heel. That body’s power seemed unprecedented, given that most of its countries were historically impoverished or “backward” peoples. [...]

Many developing countries did adopt nuclear technologies, often with crucial parts of their national infrastructures relying on American and European expertise, equipment, and fuel. Rather than seeing liberation from nature, such countries faced renewed forms of dependence. Iran certainly never gained reliable access to uranium and did not become the economic miracle envisioned by Ansari back in 1975. Instead of lifting up the poorer nations of the world, the global nuclear order seemed structured in ways reminiscent of the colonial era. The most heated debates within the IAEA pitted the nuclear weapons states against the so-called LDCs—less developed countries. The agency never became a storehouse for fission products. Instead, one of its primary functions was to monitor an arms control treaty—the Treaty 4 on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. By the end of the century, the IAEA was referred to as a “watchdog,” known for its cadre of inspectors. In 2003, IAEA inspections were crucial talking points in public debates about the invasion of Iraq by the United States [...] evidence gathered over the years by the agency created for the peaceful atom was being interpreted by the United States government as justification for military intervention. [...]

Focusing only on arms control glosses over the domestic politics of nuclear programs, particularly the role of high technology as symbols of state power and legitimacy. But it also does not square with what scholars of the Cold War have been pointing out for decades—that governments, especially the United States, deployed science and technology as diplomatic tools, to achieve feats of prestige, to shape business arrangements, to conduct clandestine surveillance, or to bind countries together with technical assistance programs. Poorer countries’ dreams of modernization, of using advanced technology to escape hunger, poverty, and the constraints of nature—these were the stock-in-trade of US diplomacy. Why, then, should we imagine that the promises connected to peaceful uses of atomic energy were any less saturated with geopolitical maneuvers and manipulation? [...]

American officials in the late 1940s and early 1950s were very worried that commercial nuclear power would siphon off supplies of uranium and monazite needed for the weapons arsenal. So they explicitly played down the possibility of electricity generation from atomic energy and instead played up the importance of radioisotopes for medicine and agriculture—because such radioisotopes were byproducts of the US weapons arsenal and did not compete with it. The kinds of technologies promoted in the developing world by the United States, the USSR, and Europeans thus seemed neocolonial, keeping the former colonies as sites of resource extraction—a fact noticed, and resented, by government officials in India, Brazil, and elsewhere. Mutation plant breeding, irradiation for insect control or food sterilization, and radioisotope studies in fertilizer—these were oriented toward food and export commodities and public health, problems indistinguishable from those of the colonial era. These were not the same kinds of technologies embraced by the global North, which focused on electricity generation through nuclear reactors, often as a hedge against the rising political power of petroleum-producing states in the Middle East. By the mid-1960s and 1970s, the United States and Europe did offer nuclear reactors even to some of the most politically volatile nations, as part of an effort to ensure access to oil. Convincing petroleum suppliers of their dire future need for nuclear reactors was part of a strategy to regain geopolitical leverage. Despite the moniker “peaceful atom,” these technologies were often bundled in trade deals with fighter jets, tanks, and other military hardware [...]

By the close of the century, two competing environmental narratives were plainly in use. One was critical of atomic energy, drawing on scientific disputes about the public health effects of radiation, the experience of nuclear accidents such as Three Mile Island (1979) and Chernobyl (1986), or the egregious stories of public health injustice—including negligence in protecting uranium miners or the wanton destruction and contamination of indigenous peoples’ homelands. In contrast was the narrative favored by most governments, depicting nuclear technology in a messianic role, promising not only abundant food, water, and electricity, but also an end to atmospheric pollution and climate change. [...]

As other scholars have noted, the IAEA tried to maintain a reputation of being primarily a technical body, devoid of politics. But it had numerous political uses. For example, it was a forum for intelligence gathering, as routinely noted by American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents. It also outmaneuvered the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization in the early 1960s and was able to assert an authoritative voice playing down public health dangers from atomic energy. Further, it provided a vehicle for countries to stay engaged in atomic energy affairs even if they did not sign on to the non-proliferation treaty—India, Pakistan, and Israel most notably. It provided apartheid-era South Africa with a means of participating in international affairs when other bodies ousted it because of its blatantly racist policies. By the same token, it gave the Americans and Europeans political cover for continuing to engage with South Africa, an important uranium supplier.

Introduction to The Wretched Atom, Jacob Hamlin