#essential subjects on a national policy level

[rotzaprachim]

anyway the construct of the US as a monolingual anglophone nation is on multiple levels a white supremacist construct long before it is a reality

[tsscat]

.

[moleshow]

I am a stupid person. Where should I begin reading about economics.

where you should begin depends on what you want to know. my response is long so i'm putting it under a readmore

if you want to know about economic theory, that's one thing; if you want to know about economics in practice (i.e. the way economies operate), that's another. these things are related, but they're often in separate books.

if there's something you want to know about specifically feel free to ask--i may or may not be able to provide a suggestion on what you should read. my wheelhouse is mainly international economics and political economy so my recommendations are not the end-all-be-all of the field.

i've uploaded all of these here: https://gofile.io/d/gbocnf

(i wasn't able to find a pdf of the 2020 edition of the Frieden but i was able to find the 2017 edition.)

the first recommendation i have is unfortunately a textbook. theoretical foundations are important 😔

1. An Introduction to International Economics: New Perspectives on the World Economy by Kenneth Reinert

this book's focus is primarily on neoclassical economic theory (which is often what people mean when they say "economics"), but it provides a strong foundation for thinking about markets, trade, and currencies.

i also want to note here that economic theories are best thought of as lenses through which to look at phenomena. all of these lenses illuminate some things and obfuscate others. so the utility of a given theory is dependent upon what you're trying to examine.

2. The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade by Pietra Rivoli

this book is a lot of fun, and falls pretty squarely into the "political economy" camp. Rivoli takes as her subject a t-shirt from a walgreens in florida (if memory serves), and follows the chain of production, to find out how it got there--as well as where shirts like it might go after being purchased. along the way she looks at the dynamics of production in practice, so she looks at the role of labor, firms, governments, brokers, etc.

i would recommend starting with this one or reading it alongside the Reinert so you aren't raw-dogging a textbook.

3. Global Capitalism: Its Fall and Rise in the Twentieth Century and Its Stumbles in the Twenty-First by Jeffry Frieden

for this one, you'll want to read the 2020 edition because the 2007 edition doesn't talk about the global financial crisis of 2008. this is a book that really is what it says on the tin--a history of global capitalism. it's particularly useful for understanding the origins and consequences of the postwar economic order. it contains some good discussions of keynesian economics and the neoliberal school of thought that followed.

4. World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction by Immanuel Wallerstein

this one's not a crucial read, but it covers a different way of thinking about basic economic units in international economics (i.e. not limiting one's economic analysis to nation-state units but instead thinking about the global economy as a system).

5. Running Steel, Running America by Judith Stein

i've put this book here because the latter half of the book essentially goes through how and why american production changed in the latter half of the 20th century, focusing chiefly on the production of steel. (this is another political economy book.) Stein illustrates the consequences of US foreign policy for the domestic economy, particularly during the 1970s--a crucial period. the whole book is worth reading, but the first half deals more with labor and politics so it's not directly related to your question.

bonus: Politics and Economics in the 1970s - lecture by Judith Stein

feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need clarification on something here👍

[mariacallous]

In 2020, while the Covid-19 pandemic raged, a steadily growing epidemic continued to burn its path across the United States. Gun violence stole the lives of 45,222 Americans that fateful year, the worst year on record for gun deaths to that point.

The path leading to each one of these deaths is layered and complex. Each American killed by a bullet, each family grieving their loved one, deserves their own book. I never once thought that I would be one to write such a story.

I’m a gun-owning emergency physician, a father, and the cousin of a man who was shot to death. If it wasn’t for the National Rifle Association declaring in 2018 that physicians, like me, should “stay in their lane” and keep quiet about the toll of this plague, I wouldn’t have written about this subject. Yet gun violence consumes my life. I see victims of gun violence from family tragedies—children, adolescents, and adults—almost every day.

Addressing violence and death is the duty of anyone who has ever had to mend the wounds of a gunshot victim, to attempt heroic measures in the trauma bay, to meticulously care for the injured in the intensive care unit, or admit defeat in front of their loved ones. I have found no worse feeling than having to tell a mother or a father that their child has been killed by a bullet. We have practiced and perfected evidence-based medicine for decades. We should similarly practice evidence-based health policy. As it pertains to guns, some of that evidence already exists.

As a physician, I understand the limitations of science. The best research, at least in the biomedical sphere, usually requires the findings of randomized clinical trials, but running those for policymaking often isn’t feasible. In public health, the next best option is a natural experiment, in which one jurisdiction implements a policy and a similar, nearby jurisdiction does not, and policy makers can observe the difference.

The RAND Corporation’s The Science of Gun Policy—a synthesis of research into US gun policy—typically relies on these types of studies to inform its analysis. It is sometimes inconclusive, sometimes weak, sometimes strong in its assertions about the impacts of various policies that might impact lives in this epidemic of gun violence, but overall its analysis describes myriad policy levers that our current lawmakers could, and in my opinion should, swiftly implement at the federal, state, and local levels. The evidence states that we can save lives through the following:

Background checks through federal firearms licensed dealers for every firearms purchase

Licenses and permits for individuals who want to buy guns

Raising the minimum age for all firearm purchases to 21

Strong child access prevention laws

Brief waiting periods

Domestic violence restraining orders that require the relinquishing of existing firearms.

But I also believe there are two additional laws that should be repealed. Their presence in society should alarm physicians, advocates, and the people who write the laws.

Policy Prescription #1: Reverse Stand-Your-Ground Laws

On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, a Black kid my height and with a similar build, was walking through a neighborhood in Sanford, Florida, after purchasing a bag of Skittles and a drink. He was essentially stalked by the captain of a local neighborhood watch patrol. Following an altercation—one that a 911 dispatcher urged the overly zealous neighborhood watchman to avoid—Martin lay on the ground, shot dead by a single bullet that traversed his heart and lung.

All of that young man’s hopes and dreams of one day becoming an aviator were struck down by a man who would eventually be acquitted of murder because of Florida’s stand-your-ground statute that created a culture of approach, provoke, and kill. Stand your ground certainly contributed to the young boy’s death.

Every state has some form of this doctrine embedded in common law, something that recognizes that an American man or woman inside their home has the right to defend themselves. But how far does that right travel outside the home? Obviously, if someone approached you attempting to harm you, no one would blame you for defending yourself. But what happens when you initiate the incident and instead of retreating, escalate a situation that never needed to exist in the first place?

The castle doctrine permits a person who is in his or her home to defend it and themselves from harm without any duty to retreat to safety. But a duty to retreat when in public exists in many states. Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, however, extend the castle doctrine to one’s personal vehicle. In some locations, largely in the South, this doctrine extends to anyplace a person has a legal right to be. Vermont and Washington, DC, remain the only two jurisdictions where a duty to retreat remains supreme.

Stand-your-ground laws clearly increase the risk of homicides, specifically firearm homicides, and have no beneficial impacts on other forms of violent crime, suggesting that these laws have not lived up to their purported deterrent effect. Lawmakers should repeal them and revert to a more limited use of the castle doctrine to prevent the deaths of their constituents.

Policy Prescription #2: Concealed Carry Laws Should Adhere to the ‘May-Issue’ Standard

Concealed carry rights are nearly universal, although 23 states and the District of Columbia require a permit to do so as of 2023. The other 27 states do not require a permit, and individuals there can concealed-carry without any form of vetting.

Concealed carry laws differ in several distinct ways, ranging in order of least to most restrictive, from permitless carry to shall-issue to may-issue laws. Among the states that require a permit for someone to carry a concealed weapon, the permitting entity, often law enforcement, must issue it to anyone who meets minimum standards in shall-issue states. In may-issue states, there is some additional leeway for law enforcement to prevent issuing a permit to people who might be a threat to themselves or others, even if they otherwise would be eligible.

Shouldn’t a small-town sheriff who knows his community well have some discretion when reviewing applications? What if there was a violent man in that community who has been drinking when he walks through the door and who, in anger, strikes his wife repeatedly, but each time the cops come out for a domestic disturbance they are told that she simply fell down the stairs? If that man applied for a concealed carry license in a shall-issue state, he would easily receive it. In a may-issue state, the sheriff might wisely reject the application and potentially save the life of that man’s wife.

Lonny Pulkrabek, a Jefferson County sheriff who laments that his state legislature voted to make Iowa a shall-issue state in 2011, no longer has any discretion when issuing a concealed carry permit. He reported that in 2018, “I’ve already got 140 people through May that have criminal records that have permits, that were issued permits to carry. We’ve seen a lot more people with lengthy criminal histories who in fact are willing to go through and jump through the hoops and get the permit to carry it legally.”

Sheriff Pulkrabek maintains a “wall of shame” of the several hundred concealed carry permits he has been forced to issue to Iowans with criminal records because the state elected to follow an inferior law over a decade ago. Researchers, utilizing the natural experiment set by the various policies in force in different states, have detected differences between states with divergent legal frameworks as they pertain to concealed carry. The Science of Gun Policy indicates that shall-issue laws, such as Iowa’s, may increase overall violent crime compared to may-issue laws. Based on the underlying research, scientists estimate that in 10 years following a transition to the more permissive type of concealed carry law, violent crime increases by up to 15 percent.

Since concealed carry laws have been shown to increase violent crime, shouldn’t we have some say about who walks around town with a hidden firearm? Unfortunately, many state legislatures haven’t been following the science. Iowa recently went even farther afield, along with Tennessee and Texas, by weakening their laws to allow for permitless carry beginning in the summer of 2021. I worry that it will lead to more crime and more bloodshed.

In the Covid pandemic, the average American learned what public health can and cannot do. We’ve witnessed the scientific method unfold before our eyes as we waited for vaccines and treatments to be created in record time. Just as public health measures—such as staying at home in the early phases of the Covid crisis, wearing masks once society began to open, and vaccination—tamed this most recent pandemic, I have faith that science can do the same thing for endemic gun violence in America.

The science compiled by the RAND Corporation suggests a series of potential legislative approaches that will save the lives of some of the over 45,000 Americans who die by firearms each year. We cannot eliminate every injury, every death, or every shooting, but we must recognize that we can positively impact our fellow Americans, save lives, and relieve suffering by implementing some very simple laws that I describe.

Adapted from Under the Gun: An ER Doctor's Cure for America's Gun Epidemic, by Cedric Dark, MD, MPH, with Seema Yasmin. Copyright 2024. Published with permission of Johns Hopkins University Press.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

what the world looks like on Dec 27

For some reason the "Biden Is Doing A Great Job" crowd is trotting out in force today, lord knows why; Politico, MSNBC and Washington Post are all carrying editorials from Democratic "strategists" explaining why Democrats are going to win in '24.

It's probably a good way to enframe the issues of the day.

Start with MSNBC's, I guess. Simon Rosenberg argues from fairly persuasive general observations that the trend towards increasing liberal populism creates a new kind of 'silent majority' (these are my words, not his) in the past two decades. The tell is election outcomes at the Federal level; Democrats have won a historically unprecedented number of them, regardless of how much noise we make about Republican resurgence in these times.

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/biden-2024-election-polls-strong-rcna130507?cid=eml_mda_20231227&user_email=587504d38113b0b55701d435b17a018c44c6e464cd919efb5465ffcb40e1a742

Marc Thiessen in the Washington Post, somewhat inexplicably (what, was there a White House press office email blast I missed?) goes much more granular in his Biden-boosting. His top achievements list is entirely foreign policy and includes two items about China (the Replicator initiative and standing up on human rights); and the top two achievements on his list are Israel and Ukraine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/12/27/biden-best-policy-actions-2023/

It should be noted, this is somewhat Thiessen & Rosenberg in the act of (pardon me) blowing sunshine up people's asses. The last major poll of American foreign policy approval from NBC News polling in late November shows consistently low approval ratings for Biden's handling of Israel, in particular with younger voters (i.e., Gen Z). You might recall some of the edges of the discussion this kicked off; this is why Gen Z and Chinese censorship on Tik-Tok turned into a slightly big deal.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/poll-bidens-standing-hits-new-lows-israel-hamas-war-rcna125251

I can't imagine it's gotten much better since the hostage-exchange ceasefire ended. And, yes, if you didn't know, ByteDance censors and pushes China-friendly content on Tik-Tok.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tiktoks-content-political-subjects-aligns-chinese-government-study-say-rcna130448

Meanwhile, Biden quietly signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law on Friday.

It's not getting a lot of attention, but the way that the bill was crafted demonstrates that it's pretty clearly still Senate Democrats & Biden in charge of the agenda; this is why Tuberville's abortion-travel-reimbursement ban was dropped. Republicans got largely nonsensical inclusions - no DEI and no pride flags in the military I guess? (which doesn't seem to stop troops from displaying it themselves), which sort of seems to signal the way of things lately.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/22/biden-defense-bill-spying-program-00133124

As unpopular as Democratic foreign policy seems to be, the fact remains, it's the most realistic option on the table since Republicans have regressed to Trumpist isolationism and nativist "border invasion!!!" hysteria. It looks like Democrats actually have substantive legislative accomplishments to claim; Republicans have posturing and lifestyle policing they've tried to inject into Democratic accomplishments.

Really, if you go in-depth on what Republicans have actually done, not just postured about, there's some real work going on there. There are people lining up for POTUS in 2028 who are doing this; but it's largely on bipartisan causes, not party-line Republican causes, because, again, party-line Republican ones are essentially "Trump Iz Great", "Gayz R Bad" and "Legislate That Uterus!" (and, also, "Immigrants Terk Mah Jerb Derp De Der"). The number of Republicans who actually want to do things, and not virtue-signal, is probably around 11%; you could see the people who are uniting behind Haley as a kind of proxy or indicator for people looking for an alternative to Trump right now.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/1226/who-is-winning-2028-presidential-election-00133119

Zooming in on foreign policy and defense news for today, a few slightly eyebrow-raising headlines are out there if you look.

Start with NYT's slightly surprising exposé of the MSS, China's spy agency (which, did you even know that was what China's spy agency was called? yeah, good job China).

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/us/politics/china-cia-spy-mss.html

On the Ukraine front, Politico cites an anonymous Biden administration official stating that Biden's policy on Ukraine is shifting; they're pushing Ukraine for a negotiated outcome instead of a total expulsion of Russian forces and a return to historical borders (the '90s, or 2014). I'm expecting pushback on that from the Ukraine think tank and European partner-nation scene; the obvious objection here is that it's just rewarding Russia for aggressing on Ukraine, and the situation in Russia is fluid; the way I see it, given what we saw from the Wagner insurrection and the state of Russian troop mobilization (not great, it never is), there's room for Russia to lose as much as there is for Ukraine to win.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/12/27/biden-endgame-ukraine-00133211

Meanwhile, Ukraine's stolen children are getting another round of light shined on them; The New York Times is running a feature on them. And it's hard not to seem ungrateful, but... I can't help but wish that more people had been raising awareness of this, this entire time, because, again, it's children stolen from a war zone in full view of the world and Russia doesn't even lie about it, they just front like it's legitimate.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/26/world/europe/ukraine-war-children-russia.html

In domestic-political news, the latest sign of the massive upheaval of American life caused by the end of Roe v. Wade and the post-Dobbs era of reproductive rights is a Black woman in Ohio charged after miscarrying in her bathroom. Ohio just passed abortion rights protections last month; activists from all over the country mobilized around their referendum actually. This makes the Ohio case particularly noteworthy; at stake is whether criminalizing miscarriage can still work in an environment like Ohio or post-Dobbs America generally.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-woman-ohio-was-charged-miscarrying-bathroom-experts-warn-dangero-rcna130649

Other notable stories that don't fit:

Gun reform is doable now, according to Washington Post interviews with Sens. Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), all of whom previously voted against gun control after Sandy Hook.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2023/assault-weapons-ban-debate-gun-control-ar-15-mass-shootings/

Washington Post has a documentary on the Discord Leaks, which is... fun, that's fun (unless you're in intelligence, in which case, it's very not-fun). Call it a "your tax dollars at work" story; also, fun fact, Egypt wanted to arm Russia in early '22, so... what the hell, Egypt.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/11/discord-leaks-documentary/

Jack Smith's team is arguing Trump shouldn't be able to use his trial as a platform for spreading disinformation, which is a very, very interesting argument to someone who mines court documents for proven disinformation (like me!).

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/27/politics/trump-courtroom-special-counsel-election-subversion?cid=ios_app

Stephen Miller is awful, which you knew, and running a fairly obvious influence op using America First Legal and some surprisingly bad lawfare; the tell here is, AFL spends more on ads than the entire ACLU despite being a fraction of its size. It spends about 10% of its entire budget on actual lawsuits. Thanks TNR for putting this back up in front of people's eyes, I guess.

[Joohn Choe]

[beardedmrbean]

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that the country will significantly reduce the number of new immigrants it allows into the country after acknowledging that his government failed to get the balance right coming out of the pandemic.

Trudeau's Liberal government was criticized for its plan to allow 500,000 new permanent residents into the country in each of the next two years. On Thursday, he said next year’s target will now be 395,000 new permanent residents and that the figure will drop to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.

“In the tumultuous times as we emerged from the pandemic, between addressing labor needs and maintaining population growth, we didn't get the balance right,” Trudeau said.

“Immigration is essential for Canada's future, but it must be controlled and it must be sustainable.”

Trudeau, who is facing calls from within his own party not to seek a fourth term, has endured mounting criticism over his immigration policies and the negative impact that population growth has had on housing affordability.

He said his government will reduce the number of immigrants Canada brings in over the next three years, and that this will freeze population growth over the next two years. Canada reached 41 million people in April. The population was 37.5 million in 2019.

Trudeau said Canada needs to stabilize its population growth to allow all levels of government to make necessary changes to health care, housing and social services so that it can accommodate more people in the future.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the lower immigration numbers will help with the country's housing shortage.

He also acknowledged the change in public opinion about immigration.

“That volume that we have put forward is of concern,” Miller said.

Miller said the government sees the pressures facing Canadians, and that it must must adapt its policies accordingly. He said government leaders have listened and will continue to protect the integrity of the immigration system and grow Canada's population responsibly.

“We are an open country, but not everyone can come to this country,” he said, noting that Canada will continue to welcome outsiders and that the government's immigration targets remain ambitious.

Trudeau's government has long touted Canada's immigration policy and how Canada is better than peer countries in welcoming newcomers and integrating them into the economy.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, accused Trudeau of destroying the national consensus on immigration.

“He has destroyed our immigration system through his own personal incompetence and destroyed 150 years of common sense consensus with the Liberals and Conservatives on that subject," Poilievre said.

“He cannot fix what he broke on immigration and housing or anything else because he is busy fighting his own caucus,” he added.

Poilievre was referring to calls by some lawmakers from Trudeau's own party to not run for a fourth term. Those calls represent one of the biggest tests of Trudeau's political career, but he said Thursday that he intends to stay on through the next election.

Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said the Trudeau government messed up badly on immigration.

"The government’s logic — to grow the economy and sustain an aging Canadian population by bringing in more young immigrants — was sound. But Ottawa has little control over meeting the housing, health, education, and other welfare needs of residents, whether they are citizens or immigrants,” Wiseman said.

"These are all provincial government responsibilities, and there was little cooperation or coordination between the two levels of government," he said.

A certain percentage of Canadians have always been xenophobic, but much less so than in some other countries, Wiseman said.

“Many Canadians have turned against the recent growing immigrant and temporary worker/student influx because of the growing housing, health, education, and other welfare challenges. Ottawa has read the polls and is responding according," he said.

[unpluggedfinancial]

Bitcoin Going Parabolic: A Closer Look at the Factors Driving the Surge

Bitcoin has been a subject of fascination and debate for over a decade. Recently, the buzz around its potential parabolic rise has reached new heights. With multiple presidential nominees proposing to make Bitcoin a strategic reserve asset and groundbreaking legislative efforts, the cryptocurrency is poised for a significant breakthrough. In this blog post, we will explore the factors contributing to Bitcoin's potential meteoric rise and what this could mean for the future of finance.

Current Market Overview

The Bitcoin market has seen remarkable stability and growth over the past year. Despite global economic uncertainties, Bitcoin's price has maintained an upward trajectory, driven by increased adoption and growing institutional interest. The market's resilience has only strengthened the belief that Bitcoin is here to stay.

Factors Driving Bitcoin's Potential Parabolic Rise

Institutional Adoption Institutional investment in Bitcoin has been one of the most significant drivers of its price surge. Companies like MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Square have made substantial Bitcoin purchases, demonstrating their confidence in its long-term value. Recently, MicroStrategy announced plans to raise $2 billion to buy more Bitcoin, adding to its already significant holdings of 226,500 BTC. This move exemplifies the growing trend of institutions recognizing Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and economic instability.

Regulatory Developments Positive regulatory changes are also contributing to Bitcoin's upward momentum. Notably, several presidential nominees in the upcoming election have expressed their support for Bitcoin, proposing to make it a strategic reserve asset for the United States. Additionally, Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a groundbreaking bill to establish a U.S. Bitcoin reserve. This legislation aims to treat Bitcoin like gold or oil, strengthening the country's economy and positioning Bitcoin as a permanent national asset. Such initiatives could legitimize Bitcoin on a national level, potentially triggering a wave of similar actions from other countries.

Monetary Policy Shifts The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates in September, a move that historically leads to Bitcoin price pumps. Lower interest rates often result in increased liquidity in the financial system, driving investors to seek alternative stores of value like Bitcoin. Moreover, the global M2 money supply is skyrocketing, indicating a significant increase in the amount of money in circulation. This surge in money supply can lead to inflation, further underscoring the appeal of Bitcoin as a deflationary asset.

Technological Advancements Bitcoin's underlying technology continues to evolve, enhancing its security, efficiency, and scalability. Innovations such as the Lightning Network and Taproot upgrade are making Bitcoin transactions faster and more cost-effective, further cementing its position as a superior financial instrument.

Historical Parabolic Trends in Bitcoin

Bitcoin's history is marked by several parabolic rises, each driven by different factors but sharing common themes of increased adoption and market maturation. The 2017 bull run, fueled by retail investor interest, and the 2020-2021 surge, driven by institutional adoption, provide valuable insights into the current trend. Studying these patterns helps us understand the potential trajectory of Bitcoin's price movement.

Expert Predictions and Analysis

Experts in the field of cryptocurrency are making bold predictions about Bitcoin's future. Influential figures like Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, and Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, have forecasted Bitcoin reaching new all-time highs. Their analyses are based on Bitcoin's scarcity, growing adoption, and its role as digital gold.

Potential Challenges and Risks

While the outlook for Bitcoin is promising, it is essential to acknowledge the potential challenges and risks. Regulatory hurdles, market volatility, and technological vulnerabilities could impact Bitcoin's growth. Investors must remain vigilant and informed to navigate these challenges effectively.

Conclusion

Bitcoin's potential to go parabolic is underpinned by strong institutional support, favorable regulatory developments, and continuous technological advancements. As multiple presidential nominees propose to make Bitcoin a strategic reserve asset and Senator Lummis's groundbreaking bill aims to establish a U.S. Bitcoin reserve, the stage is set for a significant transformation in the financial landscape. With MicroStrategy's aggressive strategy to raise $2 billion for more Bitcoin purchases and the expected interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, the momentum is undeniable. Additionally, the skyrocketing global M2 money supply highlights the growing need for a deflationary asset like Bitcoin. Whether you're an investor, a crypto enthusiast, or a curious observer, staying informed about these developments is crucial as we witness the evolution of Bitcoin.

Take Action Towards Financial Independence

If this article has sparked your interest in the transformative potential of Bitcoin, there's so much more to explore! Dive deeper into the world of financial independence and revolutionize your understanding of money by following my blog and subscribing to my YouTube channel.

🌐 Blog: Unplugged Financial Blog Stay updated with insightful articles, detailed analyses, and practical advice on navigating the evolving financial landscape. Learn about the history of money, the flaws in our current financial systems, and how Bitcoin can offer a path to a more secure and independent financial future.

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[worldofwardcraft]

The bad example state.

April 25, 2024

In his State of the State Address in January 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis declared that Florida was "the freest state in these United States." He also claimed "the state is well-prepared to withstand future economic turmoil." Turns out this description does not apply at all to his state's insurance industry. That particular segment of Florida's economy is currently verging on catastrophe.

Because of ocean warming, Florida is especially subject to heavy rainfalls, storm surge, and major category hurricanes that can devastate entire cities. For example, 55% of all the properties in Miami are at risk for severe flooding. And Florida's sea level, as much as eight inches higher now than in 1950, is rising by one inch every three years.

Bloomberg Intelligence reports that a 360% rise in Florida's insured losses in the past three decades due to the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters is causing insurers to “hike premiums and exit high-risk areas.” And with reinsurance — essentially insurance for insurers — becoming unaffordable, major insurance companies are fleeing Florida in droves. AIG ceased insuring new properties along Florida's shoreline, while Farmers Group has stopped writing new policies statewide entirely.

So, since Republicans believe a "free" state means having little to no business regulation, homeowners are left having to depend on companies that are smaller, less diversified, less capitalized and more prone to becoming insolvent. A recent study by researchers at Harvard University, Columbia University and the Federal Reserve found that a majority of homes in Florida are insured by companies whose ratings would not receive an A from Demotech Inc., the industry’s primary ratings agency, and thus not be good enough to secure full backing by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Naturally, costs for home insurance have skyrocketed, too. Floridians paid an average annual premium of $10,996 in 2023 — more than anywhere else in the country. And online insurance agent Insurify predicts that number to go up to $11,759 in 2024.

DeSantis likes to hype "free" Florida as a model for the nation. Here's how Latisha Nixon-Jones, law professor at Jackson State University responds to that notion:

Will the state serve as a blueprint for disaster-prone regions, or act as a cautionary tale? After all, states such as California and Louisiana have also seen insurance companies withdrawing from their markets.

Plus, Newsweek reports that Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partnership is pulling out of nine states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington. If Florida is an example for America, that's not very reassuring.

[nexility-sims]

do your sims have their own personal social media accounts? are they private for only close friends or are they public?

this is such a fun question ! the short answer is that they do indeed have personal social media accounts. all of the working royals have public accounts, and they can have private ones unless otherwise prohibited. long answer is an essay entitled "Social Media, Celebrity Culture, and Royal Relevance in Contemporary Uspana" :^)

kidding, but it is a wall of text:

social media is not really a subset of public relations for the royal family—like, it is, but it's also its own entity. there are certainly public accounts that are maintained principally by employees of the crown, but my sense is that they would've had an entire strategic plan for Influencing™ in the early 2010s when it was solidifying as a concept. the crown, as a governmental institution, has had its own approach to social media since perhaps 2006-2008 primarily concerned with policy communication and public engagement. the royal family, as a sort of related cultural apparatus, attends to the popular interests of performance and spectacle—different kinds of persuasion.

this makes sense in the broader context of beatriz's personal vision of how their family remains relevant: she had already made the decision to lean hard into the wave of celebrity and entertainment journalism that came to shape, then define, the 1990s and 2000s. part of it was her willingness to engage with outlets less deferential to the crown—whether as an appreciator of tabloid gossip's function in society or as a private participant in the kind of combative exchanges that maintain popular public interest. part of it was having the foresight to exploit the adventures and popularity of her many grandchildren: there are ten of them, and they all came of age in the 1990s and 2000s; they all appealed to different swaths of the public; and they surrounded themselves with other interesting figures who'd be in the news with or without the royal association. entertainment becomes a public service, alongside but separate from the royal family's substantive patronage system.

in short, beatriz has been a real "all publicity is good publicity" kind of person, and that has shaped both the crown's official strategies and the family's approach to self-presentation. the latter has been thoroughly central to celebrity culture for some time and that has included appropriating social media for their own purposes. social media allows a new level of control for people who had previously been subject to processes controlled by newspaper and magazine editors, television producers, and a cadre of popular bloggers. with the advent and maturity of social media, the celebrity mystique seems to be a relic of the past, but parasocial interactions have taken on a new, powerful shape. the active use of social media by the family, then, is a way to compete with mediated press coverage and maintain their place in the broader national celebrity culture.

while beatriz herself does not maintain any private accounts or have much interest in participating in the management of her public one, it is essentially imperative that the family's working royals have public accounts with regular, personalized posts. they have staff for this who are separate from staff working on other forms of communications. the actual shape of these public accounts depends on the person. take barbie, for example: the social media mandate, for her, is fully a call to influence. her public account is personal the way lifestyle accounts tend to be; she's presenting her life, her marriage, and her children in a manner that is, not attainable, but unprecedentedly accessible. as another example, i imagine arnaut's social media presence is sort of like barack obama's has been. he and his team make statement posts about issues and current events, and he also releases reading lists and year-end playlists and things like that. leonor's posts tend to be polished, professional, and work-related, but she also posts videos of herself discussing events while she's getting ready for them.

the question of private personal accounts is interesting ... i imagine the younger members of the family do have them, although that raises the question of whether they're being monitored and moderated to prevent or manage leaks, etc. at the same time, they have such broad latitude with their public accounts that i don't imagine they'd need private accounts to post the kinds of content most people put on instagram and such. in theory, i feel like there's an approval process that means adults have to consent to having their accounts monitored and, for minors, puts the monitoring responsibility on their parents. julian, for example, has private personal accounts he uses exclusively to keep up with what his son is posting. obviously the teens would all have private snapchat accounts, but why would you make a finsta for fucking around if you're contractually obligated to have your dad follow it ksdjfhsg

i don't think i've really posted any social media content, except for the barbie and german ones that i decided to frame as instagram stories, but ... this is what's happening in the background. i mean, obviously, since the story proper is still in the 1930s when mass media is still in its infancy. i do want to depict the early roots of this in the leonor-centric spinoff which, as we know, is set in the 1990s. she's the test case for the type of attention that becomes trained on her younger cousins, and all of their children are the digital native zoomer generation grappling with what comes next for technology and celebrity in society. exciting stuff.

[yamuna111]

Top Strategies to Crack TNPSC Prelims: How to Answer Multiple Choice Questions Efficiently

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Prelims is the first step towards securing a government job in Tamil Nadu. With multiple-choice questions (MCQs) forming the core of the Prelims exam, candidates need to adopt effective strategies to solve these questions efficiently. For aspirants attending a TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore, understanding how to approach MCQs and using the right techniques can make all the difference in securing a top rank. Here, we’ll explore the top strategies to crack the TNPSC Prelims and answer MCQs with confidence.

1. Know the Syllabus Inside and Out

The first step to excelling in TNPSC Prelims is having a deep understanding of the syllabus. The TNPSC exam pattern for Prelims typically consists of general studies, aptitude, and general knowledge. Focusing on the subjects outlined in the syllabus allows you to narrow down your preparation and avoid unnecessary distractions. A good TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore will provide structured guidance to ensure that every part of the syllabus is covered systematically. This in-depth knowledge will help you eliminate irrelevant options in MCQs, making it easier to choose the correct answer.

2. Practice with Previous Year’s Question Papers

One of the best ways to get acquainted with the type of MCQs asked in TNPSC Prelims is by solving previous years' question papers. This practice will help you identify recurring question patterns, commonly tested topics, and the difficulty level of the exam. By practicing these papers, you can also improve your time management skills. A TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore can provide you with access to these question papers and simulate a real exam environment during mock tests. Solving these questions will build your confidence and improve your accuracy in answering MCQs.

3. Master the Process of Elimination

When faced with multiple-choice questions, candidates often find themselves torn between two or more possible answers. In such cases, mastering the process of elimination is crucial. Start by eliminating options that are obviously incorrect. This can dramatically increase your chances of selecting the correct answer, even if you're unsure. A well-established TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore will teach you how to eliminate options effectively, helping you make educated guesses when needed.

4. Focus on Current Affairs and General Knowledge

Current affairs play a significant role in the TNPSC Prelims, with many questions based on recent events, national policies, and global issues. Regularly reading newspapers, magazines, and trusted online sources is vital. Aspirants attending a TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore can benefit from targeted current affairs sessions, which focus on the most relevant topics for the exam. Keeping abreast of the latest news will not only help you in the general studies section but also sharpen your ability to answer related MCQs quickly and accurately.

5. Improve Time Management Skills

Time management is one of the most critical factors in cracking the TNPSC Prelims. With limited time to answer a large number of MCQs, efficient time distribution is essential. During mock tests and practice sessions, aim to answer each question within a fixed time limit. The more you practice, the better you will become at managing time effectively. A TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore will guide you on how to pace your exam, ensuring that you do not get stuck on any particular question, allowing you to attempt more questions in the limited time frame.

6. Develop a Strong Foundation in Aptitude

A significant part of the TNPSC Prelims exam includes questions on aptitude, including mathematical reasoning, data interpretation, and problem-solving. These questions can be tricky but are relatively easier if you build a strong foundation. Regular practice of aptitude problems will help you answer them more quickly and accurately. A TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore often provides specialized coaching for aptitude, helping you develop the necessary skills to solve these problems efficiently. This will not only improve your overall score but also save valuable time during the exam.

7. Stay Calm and Focused During the Exam

During the TNPSC Prelims, it’s essential to remain calm and composed, even when faced with difficult questions. Stress and anxiety can cloud your judgment and lead to mistakes. Cultivate a positive mindset and focus on answering questions logically rather than rushing through them. A TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore can help you build mental resilience through mindfulness techniques and stress management practices, preparing you to face the exam with confidence.

8. Revise Regularly and Stay Consistent

Regular revision is key to retaining information and ensuring that you’re fully prepared for the exam. Schedule periodic revisions to go over important topics, especially current affairs, facts, and formulas for aptitude. A TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore will provide revision sessions that focus on the most frequently asked topics in the Prelims exam. Consistent revision will help you consolidate your knowledge, making it easier to recall information during the exam.

Conclusion

Cracking the TNPSC Prelims is achievable with the right strategies and dedicated preparation. For aspirants in Coimbatore, enrolling in a TNPSC coaching center in Coimbatore will provide you with the necessary tools, resources, and expert guidance to tackle the MCQs efficiently. By mastering the syllabus, practicing with mock tests, improving time management, and staying updated on current affairs, you will significantly increase your chances of success. With consistent effort and the right approach, you can confidently face the TNPSC Prelims and move one step closer to your goal of securing a government job.

[academycourses]

Difference Between Public Health And Healthcare Administration

Careers in the Health industry can be highly rewarding. Some professionals might find it more interesting to work directly with patients while others might find the business aspect of healthcare more interesting. Depending on your interests, you can find the online Master’s program that works for you, and build your career in the Health sector.

But in order to find where your interest lies, you must understand the difference between Public Health and Healthcare Administration. 

What Is Public Health?

One way to understand Public Health is to look at it from a much wider perspective. Public Health instead of dealing with particular hospitals or healthcare institutions, deals with the entire health aspect of a population or a community.

Public Health is rooted in creating healthier nations and improving the overall health of society. From disease prevention to advocating changes in health policies, Public Health plays an essential role. A Master of Public Health online degree program can help you build a solid career in Public Health.

What Is Healthcare Administration?

Healthcare Administration on the other hand is the business side of the Health industry. Working in Healthcare Administration will give you the opportunity to work with healthcare institutions like hospitals and clinics and manage the administrative side.

Healthcare Administration includes professionals working in Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, Inventory and Supply Chain Management, Patient Information Management, and more.

What Do You Learn With An MPH?

Seeing as Public Health professionals work outside on the field of Health and closely deal with Health crises, it becomes important for Master’s in Public Health online programs to cover relevant subjects.

Typically an MPH degree’s curriculum will include the following:

Environmental Health Issues

Occupational Health

Health Policy Management

Biostatistics

Epidemiology

Disease Management and Prevention

What Do You Learn With An MHA?

A Master in Healthcare Administration degree is much more like a business degree. It usually covers the following:

Financial Management

Healthcare Laws and Policies

HR and Personnel Management

Operations and Project Management

Data Management

The Difference Between Potential Career Opportunities

Public Health Careers

After getting your Master in Public Health degree here are some career options you can explore:

Biostatistician: You will analyze healthcare data for various communities and help decision-makers develop policies for the betterment of the nation. If you have a strong hold on statistics and data analysis, this is an ideal career for you.

Epidemiologist: If you are interested in studying various diseases and finding their origins, causes, spread, and preventive measures, this is the ideal role for you. You could be responsible for preventing the spread of diseases to larger populations and essentially saving multiple lives.

Health Educator: You can develop health programs to educate communities regarding wellness, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyles.

Healthcare Administration Careers

You can also get an MHA degree and find career opportunities in the following roles:

Health Information Manager: You will be responsible for managing the health information of medical facilities and keeping it safe and secure. You will also be trusted with confidential information about patients.

Medical Office Manager: You will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of a medical facility.

Healthcare Administrator: Depending on the level of experience in this role you will be responsible for scheduling the duties, managing finances, training staff members, and more.

What Does UniAthena Offer?

UniAthena has collaborated with Guglielmo Marconi University (GMU), Italy to develop an online Master’s program that can be perfect for aspiring health professionals in either sector.

While being an MPH program, it offers a well-rounded curriculum for professionals seeking to venture into the healthcare industry or break into the public health leadership ranks. You will learn topics such as Financial Management, HR and Personnel Management, and Operations Management as well as Principles of Biostatistics and Epidemiology as electives.

This will ensure that once you graduate you will be able to make your decision as to which side of the health industry you wish to join. The curriculum of this Master of Public Health online degree program will ensure that both pathways are open to you.

Explore this course now on UniAthena and try the free trial to know more. You can choose the fast-track plan and get your degree in as little time as 12 months. Register now!

[suganya09]

How to Use Government Schemes and Policies in Your IAS Answers

One of the crucial elements of IAS preparation is effectively integrating government schemes and policies into your answers, especially for the General Studies papers and the Mains examination. Whether it's answering questions related to social issues, economic development, or governance, referencing relevant schemes can significantly enhance the quality and depth of your response. Here’s how you can use government schemes and policies to your advantage during your IAS preparation.

1. Understand the Importance of Government Schemes and Policies

Government schemes and policies are not only important for their direct impact on the public but also as key elements of your IAS exam preparation. The UPSC exam often tests your ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate government initiatives aimed at solving national problems. These schemes help you demonstrate your knowledge about the government's actions, making your answers more relevant and comprehensive.

2. Keep Track of Current Schemes and Policies

To effectively use government schemes and policies in your answers, it’s essential to stay updated with current initiatives. The best way to do this is by regularly reading government reports, the Economic Survey, the Union Budget, and reliable news sources. Make a list of key schemes from different ministries and sectors, such as health, education, rural development, and finance, and understand their objectives, beneficiaries, and impact.

3. Incorporate Schemes to Strengthen Your Answers

When answering questions related to socio-economic issues, governance, or any relevant current affairs topic, cite specific schemes that address those issues. For example, if you are asked about poverty alleviation in India, mention schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Similarly, if the question focuses on women’s empowerment, you can refer to schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao or Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Using government schemes and policies not only shows your knowledge of the subject but also helps you present practical solutions that are already being implemented at the ground level. This approach demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical concepts and real-world applications.

4. Analyze the Effectiveness of Schemes

A critical element in using government schemes is to go beyond just listing them. UPSC values candidates who can critically analyze the effectiveness of policies. For instance, instead of merely mentioning the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), you can add a critical evaluation of how the scheme has contributed to improving rural healthcare, or highlight areas where it has faced challenges, such as lack of proper infrastructure or issues with implementation.

This level of analysis shows that you are not just memorizing facts but engaging with the policies on a deeper level, which is crucial for the Mains exam.

5. Link Government Schemes with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Many of India’s government schemes are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By linking a government initiative to specific SDGs, you demonstrate a holistic understanding of the country's development agenda. For example, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ties into SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). This technique adds depth and global relevance to your answers.

Conclusion

To summarize, incorporating government schemes and policies into your IAS answers not only enriches your responses but also showcases your grasp on current affairs and developmental issues. Make sure to update yourself regularly on key government schemes, critically analyze their effectiveness, and connect them to broader national and international goals.

If you are looking to enhance your preparation for the TNPSC exams or seeking expert guidance, consider enrolling at a TNPSC coaching centre in Coimbatore. Professional coaching can provide you with structured learning, expert tips, and the right guidance to ace your exams and shape your career in the civil services.

[saipushpalearner]

Empower Women

Women empower organizations and organizational cultures empower women. Often, women play the role of mentors and decision-makers in organizations. When an organization's leadership and culture empower women, it leads to a better working environment, greater economic success, and a more prosperous society. However, gender discrimination remains a significant social issue in many parts of the world. It is disturbingly common for women to be subjected to discrimination, and other forms of sensitive exploitation. Sustainable economic growth is unimaginable without women's empowerment in any nation or organization. As a result, gender inclusion measures are a motivating force for social progress and economic development. Women who work have a significant impact on health, education, and wellness. Achieving gender equality is therefore essential to the development of society. 

Ways to Empower Women for Sustainable Development

Here are some ways in which we can go beyond and empower women across the globe to achieve equal opportunities:

Global Leadership Goals - As leaders, women regularly challenge conventional foresight in their approach to leadership. Research suggests that the most powerful and appealing analogy of women leaders is the hope that they will bring significant change. When a woman becomes a senior leader, people begin to believe that other more essential changes are also possible.

Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries - Business enterprises have empowered women in developing countries by strengthening their decision-making in the household and the society. Women have actively taken part in the entrepreneurial work. However, most of them are still short of good job opportunities and resources to get a better-paid job. Providing women with leadership opportunities and making them a part of decision making contributes significantly in achieving women empowerment.

Teach Business Skills to Women - Business training can increase performance and reform motivation, success, trust, and awareness of women entrepreneurs. Teaching women business skills is beneficial in maintaining a business and in developing new ones.

Encourage More Women to Take on the Job Training - There is much need to encourage more women to take trainings, especially in male dominated businesses and to achieve such changes, support structures for women should include mentors, networks and female-friendly workplaces.

Better Work environment for Women - Better career development guidance and support for women is much needed. Getting women managers to senior executive level can partially be achieved by women taking more responsibility or control for their own career development. However, alone, that is not enough. So, organizations need to take a decisive, independent role in creating a better organizational culture for women.

Some more Points to Consider:

More Job Opportunities for Women - Apart from being important contributors to financial and social development women need to have access to equal job opportunities. Equal rights schemes can invest significantly in increasing decent jobs and public policies, reinforcing growth and development.

Invest in Women’s Entrepreneurial Ideas - By investing in women’s education and providing them with creative opportunities, the unequal pay gap can be excluded from the socio-economic scene. This encourages women to increase their participation in the industry.

Taking Action Against Unpaid Labor Work - Many underrated groups, including rural women and domestic workers, are often denied economic independence. Many times, their labors go unconsidered by society. With empowerment policies attempting to raise the incomes of women, resources can be properly managed to eliminate the issue. Women can be encouraged to research and utilize their potential.

Mentoring Women Professionally and Personally - To eradicate the problem from the root levels, gender-specific economic policies are necessary. To help women complete their entrepreneurial goals and develop them as leaders, mentoring programs should adopt a more comprehensive approach. Such programs can protect both personal and the professional aspects.

Closing Thoughts - Women empowerment programs are investing amply in the welfare and empowerment of women. This encourages women to break free from their traditional roles and do away with gender conventions.

Why is Women Empowerment Important?

In conclusion, there are several ways of achieving women empowerment across the globe and the above mentioned suggestions are only to name a few. The empowerment of women and the improvement of their social, political, economic and health status is an important objective for the achievement of sustainable development. To keep pace with the changing global fashion and fulfill viable development goals, it’s time to go beyond and search alternative programs for advocating equal opportunities for women and promoting financial totality. Various policies should improve women's access to protect livelihoods and economic resources, lighten their household responsibilities, remove legal barriers and boost social awareness through effective programs of education and media.

Contact us if you are interested in a diversity and inclusion program that is tailored to the needs of your organization or team.

[uniqueiasblog]

How Important Are Current Affairs for the MPPSC Exam?

Current affairs play a pivotal role in the preparation for the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) exam. As a competitive examination that assesses candidates for various administrative positions, staying updated on recent developments is crucial. Here’s why current affairs are essential for MPPSC aspirants and how they can effectively integrate them into their study routine.

1) Significance in the Exam

Current affairs are a significant component of both the Prelims and Mains stages of the MPPSC exam. Questions related to current events, government policies, socio-economic issues, and international relations often appear in the exam. A strong grasp of current affairs not only helps in answering objective-type questions in Prelims but also aids in formulating relevant arguments and perspectives in the Mains exam.

2) Enhancing General Knowledge

A solid understanding of current affairs enhances your overall general knowledge, which is crucial for any competitive exam. It helps you stay informed about national and state-level developments, making it easier to connect topics across subjects such as polity, economics, and environment. This interconnected knowledge can be particularly beneficial during the interview stage, where comprehensive awareness is often assessed.

3) Preparation Strategy

To effectively prepare for current affairs, aspirants should start by dedicating specific time each day to read newspapers and magazines. Renowned newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express provide in-depth coverage of important events. Additionally, there are monthly magazines tailored for MPPSC aspirants that summarize significant events, making it easier to review.

4) Role of MPPSC Coaching in Bhopal

Enrolling in MPPSC coaching in Bhopal can significantly enhance your preparation for current affairs. The best MPPSC coaching in Bhopal offers structured programs that include dedicated sessions for current affairs analysis. Expert faculty can guide you on which topics are crucial and provide strategies for effective retention and revision. Moreover, they often conduct quizzes and discussions that keep you engaged and informed about the latest developments.

5) Mock Tests and Revision

Regularly taking mock tests that include current affairs questions can help reinforce your learning. It is essential to review your performance in these tests to identify weak areas. Revising current affairs periodically ensures that the information stays fresh in your memory and prepares you for the exam effectively.

In conclusion, current affairs are a cornerstone of MPPSC exam preparation. By staying updated and integrating current events into your study routine, you can significantly enhance your chances of success. Leveraging resources from MPPSC coaching in Bhopal, particularly the best coaching centers, will further strengthen your preparation and boost your confidence on exam day. Stay informed, stay ahead!

[mariacallous]

In my previous column, I outlined how the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador steadily hollowed out U.S.-Mexico security and counternarcotics cooperation despite the vast flows of fentanyl from Mexico to the United States. In this column, I discuss why the insistence of the López Obrador administration that it alone will take care of counternarcotics measures in Mexico is problematic and lacks credibility. Drawing on my recent statement for the record for the U.S. House of Representatives hearing “Follow the Money: The CCP’s Business Model Fueling the Fentanyl Crisis,” I detail U.S. policy options vis-à-vis Mexico to induce better anti-drug and security cooperation.

The evisceration of U.S.-Mexico security cooperation by the López Obrador administration did not come out of the blue. It is part and parcel of the Mexican government’s abdication of security policies and internal responsibilities in Mexico.

At the beginning of his administration, President López Obrador announced a strategy of “hugs, not bullets” toward criminal groups that sought to emphasize socio-economic programs to deal with crime, and address the causes that propel young people to join criminal groups.

But that strategy never articulated any security or law enforcement policy toward criminal groups. Worse, as Mexican criminal groups have resorted to more and more brazen violence and impunity, dramatically expanded the range of legal economies they seek to take over and dominate, and intensified their efforts to influence elections, the López Obrador administration has persisted in its do-little policy.

Essentially, the Mexican president has hoped that if he does not interfere with Mexico’s criminal groups, they will eventually redivide Mexico’s economies and territories among themselves and violence will subside. That policy has been disastrous for many reasons: Most importantly, because it throws the rule of law in Mexico underneath the bus of impunity and subjects Mexican people, institutions, and legal economies to the tyranny of Mexican criminal groups. But also because Mexico’s out-of-control criminal market, plagued by a bipolar and increasingly internationalized war between the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, has little chance at such stabilization.

Like other Mexican presidents since the 1980s, López Obrador reshuffled Mexican security institutions. Most significantly, he abolished the Federal Police and created a National Guard staffed mostly by Mexican soldiers and police officers from the former Federal Police.

However, the National Guard is not and could never be an adequate replacement for the Federal Police. President López Obrador dismantled the Federal Police because of its infiltration by Mexican criminal groups, a systematic and pervasive problem for all of Mexico’s law enforcement forces for decades. Since the 1980s, the many iterations of law enforcement reforms have failed to expunge such infiltration and corruption across Mexican agencies.

However, the Federal Police, with all its faults, also had the greatest investigative capacities and mandates. The National Guard has no investigative mandates and very little capacity: It can only act as a deterrent force by patrolling the streets, something that it has not been effective at, or acting against crime in flagrancia. A Mexican lawyer in a conversation with me in 2021 summed it up well: “The National Guard are the most expensive mannequins in Mexico.”

Investigative authorities in Mexico are predominantly the role of the Office of the Attorney General (Fiscalía General de la República, FGR), the Federal Ministerial Police and state prosecutorial offices. But their capacities are limited, all are overwhelmed by the level of crime in Mexico, and all of them have also suffered from criminal infiltration despite decades-long efforts at reform.

Moreover, what remains unanswered and unexamined regarding the law enforcement reforms of the López Obrador administration is the question of what has happened to all of the equipment, technologies, and databases  (such as Plataforma Mexico), and the intelligence that the United States provided the Federal Police with under the $3.5 billion aid package of the Mérida Initiative? Who owns this equipment now: the National Guard? The Mexican military? What accountability has there been for U.S. taxpayers’ money, especially as the López Obrador administration gutted meaningful counternarcotics cooperation even as over one hundred thousand Americans are dying of drug overdose and over thirty thousand Mexicans from homicides?

With the lack of will on the part of the Mexican government and the lack of capacities of Mexican law enforcement institutions to take on the cartels, it is not satisfactory to operate on President López Obrador’s preferred definition of U.S.-Mexico cooperation: the United States countering the flows of weapons and money to Mexico and Mexico doing what it wants, which is very little, in terms of domestic enforcement and with little transparency to boot.

On March 27, news reports began circulating that the United States and Mexico were on the verge of announcing a “new” deal concerning  the fentanyl flows. Subsequent reporting from the end of March the U.S.-Mexico Synthetic Drug Conference in Mexico City rather suggested a hardening of Mexico’s noncooperation crouch.

But whether any eventually-announced renewed U.S.-Mexico cooperation will be more than thin gruel remains to be seen. If such “new” efforts mostly restate López Obrador’s interpretation of the Bicentennial Framework, cooperation will remain inadequate. To be watched is whether Mexico will become more reliable in sharing samples from declared precursor and fentanyl seizures, begins conducting controlled delivery operations, allows agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at least to observe and ride along on interdiction raids, and starts more systematically acting on U.S. intelligence.

Also yet to be understood is what authorities, if any, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agency has and will have to operate in Mexico. As with the DEA, will HSI be able to ride along on Mexican law enforcement operations or will it be mainly focused on countering weapons and financial flows to Mexico as Mexico prefers?  After the López Obrador administration shackled DEA operations in Mexico (as I detailed in my previous column) the HSI has sometimes been talked about as a replacement for DEA operations. But it is not clear – and unlikely – that HSI can do so.

U.S. counternarcotics and law enforcement bargaining with Mexico is unfortunately constrained by the U.S. reliance on Mexico to stop migrant flows to the United States.  If the United States were able to conduct a comprehensive immigration reform that would provide legal work opportunities to those currently seeking protection and opportunities in the United States through unauthorized migration, it would have far better leverage to induce meaningful and robust counternarcotics and law enforcement cooperation with Mexico. Nonetheless, even absent such reform, the United States can take impactful measures.

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to designate Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). An FTO designation would enable intelligence gathering and strike options of the United States military, such as against some fentanyl labs in Mexico or visible formations of large Mexican cartels – principally CJNG.

However, such unilateral U.S. military actions in Mexico would severely jeopardize relations with our vital trading partner and neighbor whose society is deeply intertwined with ours through familial connections.  Calls for U.S. military strikes against fentanyl-linked targets in Mexico have already been condemned by Mexican government officials, politicians, and commentators.

Meanwhile, the number of available targets in Mexico would be limited. Most Mexican criminal groups do not gather in military-like visible formations. Many fentanyl labs already operate in buildings in populated neighborhoods of towns and cities where strikes would not be possible due to risks to Mexican civilians. Moreover, fentanyl labs would easily be recreated.

Nor would the FTO designation add authorities to the economic sanctions and anti-money laundering and financial intelligence tools that the already-in-place designation of Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) carries. The latter designation also carries extensive prohibitions against material support.

But an FTO designation could significantly limit and outright hamper U.S. foreign policy options and measures. Such prohibitions of material support for designated terrorist organizations have made it difficult for the United States to implement non-military and non-law-enforcement policy measures in a wide range of countries, making it a crime to provide assistance for legal job creation or reintegration support for even populations that had to endure the rule of brutal terrorist groups. To be in compliance with the material support laws, the United States and other entities must guarantee that none of their financial or material assistance is leaking out, including through coerced extortion, to those designated as FTOs.

Yet such controls would be a significant challenge in Mexico where many people and businesses in legal economies, such as agriculture, fisheries, logging, mining, and retail, have to pay extortion fees to Mexican criminal groups. The attempted controls could undermine the ability to trade with Mexico, as many U.S. businesses would not be able to determine whether their Mexican trading or production partner was paying extortion fees to Mexican cartels, and thus guarantee that they were not indirectly in violation of material support clauses.

The FTO designation could hamper the delivery of U.S. training, such as to local police forces or Mexican federal law enforcement agencies, if guarantees could not be established that such counterparts had no infiltration by criminal actors.

Instead, if the López Obrador administration continues to deny meaningful law enforcement cooperation, the United States may have to resort to significantly intensified border inspections, even if they substantially slow down the legal trade and cause substantial damage to Mexican goods, such as agricultural products. Yes, such measures would also cause economic pains in the United States, impacting U.S. trade with Mexico and supply chains. But the U.S. opioid epidemic, fueled by fentanyl, also carries large economic costs, in addition to killing tens of thousands of Americans yearly. In 2020, the latest estimate by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee put the cost of the opioid epidemic in the United States at nearly US $1.5 trillion, 37 percent higher than a 2017 estimate of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In contrast, in 2019, U.S. goods and services trade with Mexico totaled an estimated US $677.3 billion , with imports from Mexico $387.8 billion. With higher and growing U.S. yearly deaths since 2020, the cost of the U.S. opioid epidemic is even higher now. Thus, even the economic impact measures clearly imply that major additional efforts to save U.S. lives from lethal overdose and countering fentanyl flows are imperative.

Under optimal circumstances, U.S.-Mexico law enforcement cooperation would be robust enough to make legal border crossings fast and efficient. Joint fentanyl and precursor busts and seizures could take place near production labs and at warehouses. Joint inspections of legal cargo heading to the United States could take place close to production and loading sites in Mexico. Under the Mérida Initiative, the Obama administration, in fact, sought to develop along with Mexico such systems of legal cargo inspection inside Mexico and away from the border.

But if Mexico refuses to act as a reliable law enforcement partner to counter the greatest drug epidemic in North America, which is also decimating lives in Mexico, the United States may have to focus much intensified inspections at the border, despite the economic pains.

Furthermore, the United States can also develop packages of leverage, including indictment portfolios, against Mexican national security and law enforcement officials and politicians who undermine and sabotage rule of law cooperation with the United States. Instead of giving up on the type of arrests like that of former Mexican Secretary of Defense Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos in October 2020, the United States could double up on them.

The structural characteristics of synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, including the ease of developing similar, but not scheduled, synthetic drugs and their new precursors, pose immense structural obstacles to controlling their supply.

U.S. domestic prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and law enforcement measures are fundamental and indispensable to countering the devastating fentanyl crisis.

However, given the extent and lethality of the synthetic opioid epidemic in North America and its likely eventual spread to other parts of the world, even supply control measures with partial and limited effectiveness can save lives and thus need to be designed as smartly and robustly as possible. They require reliable international cooperation.

The sabotage of that counternarcotics cooperation with the United States by the López Obrador administration should not be acceptable.

[peoplenorth]

Why is POSH Training Essential for Organisations

A workplace, as defined by the POSH Act, is: “Any location visited by an employee arising out of or during the course of employment, including transportation provided by the employer for commuting to and from the workplace.”

In this blog, we aim to raise awareness and encourage reflection on the importance of understanding and implementing the POSH Act in workplaces. Although the Act, its findings, and directives are available for reference and enforcement, a 2023 study conducted by Stratefix Consulting in collaboration with the NHRD (National Human Resource Development) revealed that a mere 8% of people are aware of the POSH Act. This number is alarmingly low, and we believe it needs to change.

To highlight the significance of the Act and the necessity of implementing its guidelines in organisations, this blog covers the following:

- Understanding POSH training

- Key findings and best practices

- Reasons why POSH training is crucial in organisations

What is POSH Training and Why is it More Than Just a Policy?

Understanding the POSH Act and conducting effective training begins with calling harassment what it is, rather than using softer terms like issue, conflict, or problem. Enacted by the Indian government in 2013, the POSH Act aims to address workplace sexual harassment faced by women and mandates the establishment of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in every organisation. During POSH training, it is essential for attendees to understand:

- What constitutes sexual harassment

- How to safely report harassment

- How to set, respect, and recognise boundaries

- Their rights under the law

- Who to contact, how to report complaints, and what to do if their complaint isn't addressed properly

- The importance of speaking out and intervening if they witness abuse or harassment

More Than Just a Policy

Too often, companies treat policies like checkboxes to tick off with surface-level compliance. However, POSH training and the Act itself go far beyond that. The Act is about creating a safe, ethical, and inclusive workplace for all employees. It isn’t just another policy to implement, but one that fosters inclusivity and actively combats ableism, promoting an environment of safety and respect.

6 Reasons Why POSH Training is Essential for Organizations

If your goal is to cultivate a secure and inclusive workplace that protects the rights of all employees, understanding and implementing the POSH Act is a foundational step. Here are six reasons why every organisation must prioritise POSH training:

1. Creating a Safe Space

A study by Stratefix Consulting revealed that 11% of employees would rather leave their jobs than report harassment. This is often because workplaces do not provide a secure environment for survivors to come forward. Implementing the POSH Act not only allows employees to report complaints but also ensures they are not subjected to abuse or violations in the first place.

2. Increasing Managerial Responsibility and Accountability

Managers and supervisors play a crucial role in addressing sexual harassment. POSH training ensures they are well-equipped to handle complaints, hold violators accountable, recognise harassment, and provide a safe space for survivors to approach them. Maintaining anonymity for survivors upon request is also emphasised.

3. Legal Mandate and Compliance

The POSH Act’s Section 19 outlines employer responsibilities, including organising regular workshops and awareness programs to educate employees about the provisions of the Act. However, implementing POSH is more than just fulfilling a legal mandate—it’s about doing the bare minimum to create a safe workplace.

4. Raising Awareness – Encouraging Reporting and Support

Statistics show alarming gaps in awareness:

- 22% of employees didn’t know virtual sexual harassment could be reported (Stratefix Consulting x NHRD – 2023)

- 40% of women are unaware of the measures under the POSH Act to help them (Walchand Plus x BDB India)

- 53% of HR professionals are confused by the Act (Walchand Plus x BDB India)

These numbers reflect the current state of many workplaces, which can improve with greater awareness. Employees need to understand their rights and feel assured that their complaints will be heard.

5. Promoting Equity and Inclusivity in the Workplace

Beyond addressing sexual harassment, POSH training emphasises respect, boundaries, and inclusivity. This contributes to a healthier workplace culture and promotes diversity across gender, sexual orientation, age, and race.

#### 6. Enhancing Employee Engagement and Experience

When employees feel heard and secure, they are more engaged and productive. POSH training fosters a sense of safety, which leads to better job satisfaction, higher employee retention, and a more positive work environment overall.

Best Practices for Effective POSH Training Sessions

To ensure POSH training is impactful, consider the following best practices:

- Tailor content to the specific context of the organisation for easier comprehension

- Integrate Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity as key components of POSH training

- Conduct regular training sessions, as required by law

- Train managers and supervisors on how to inform and support their teams

- Use interactive formats with open-ended questions, discussions, and case studies

- Clearly outline steps for reporting incidents

- Highlight contact details for reporting as either a victim or a bystander

- Offer distinct workshops for general POSH awareness, leadership training, and ICC members

Conclusion

The POSH Act and related training should not be viewed as just another item on the to-do list for organisations. It is a critical mandate that plays a vital role in creating safer, more inclusive workplaces. It’s time for companies to go beyond superficial compliance and take meaningful steps toward fostering safer, more respectful work environments.