Yes, when China first started supporting Russia, much commentary noted that and made the point that Russia was desperate for allies and products and China anted to increase influence, so could use the increased relationship to their advantage to exert control over Russia, through the use of financial tools.

Yes, nobody wants tariffs, but China is already facing them from USA, so they are more at risk.bthe EU won’t want retaliation from China but they also don’t want Russia to continue to affect their economy and stability. China would have to choose and they would choose Europe as they are not natural allies with Russia anyway, and Russia won’t buy much off them. China needs huge amounts of resources, some of which Russia has, but they are moving away from fossil fuels faster than europe and USA and Russia.

Likely economically. Currently China will be wary of USA sanctions on trump and Russia having favour from trump. They won’t want to be on the outside o while their economy is already slowing down.

Which goes back to the point about France and Germany being able to control the momentum with a third of the population.

Yes, but even Meloni and Trump are more liberal than their counterparts from previous bouts of fascism.

I wonder if the increasing complexity of our economies and societies is insulating us a little from the worst effects, even if some of that complexity is driving the lurch right for those who are feeling the pain

I think that most western countries are converging on economic, taxation and liberal values that align. As developing countries catch up, to meet entry criteria, I expect it will expand east and south, potentially with some trading partners joining or aligning more closely. As the block gets bigger, it becomes more important to trade with, so it may hit a point where everyone wants in, but has to follow their rules. Or it stagnates and never gets there and dissolves over time, either because it’s no longer needed or it’s not fit for purpose.

I think the next 20 years will be telling, especially what happens to Britain and Ukraine in that time.

I get that, which is why my response pointed out that it’s not as simple as a majority of a veto, but that France/Germany combined has a large population bloc that means without them, it’s very unlikely to happen.

Each countries sovereignty remaining is part of the EUs strength, but also it’s weakness. Things like immigration are a trans continent problem and variations in policy, numbers of immigrants and refugees is problematic, even with Schengen. Cross border policies while retaining sovereignty are very difficult. Complex, and difficult to gain consensus.

The opacity of all this, with much of the EU business less visible than national governments, means there is less political capital to make things happen quicker when needed.

Yes, and there are loose coalitions between those disparate parties. Usually 65% of the EU population needs to be represented by how it works. A majority of states with a majority of people voting for something to pass. So France and Germany can hold things up with just a few smaller states. As it happens, France and Germany are more inclined to want to advance the EU rules rather than hold them up, but their combined size gives them an oversized power, which is not necessarily a bad thing given how many people they represent.

Greece was frustrated by Germany when they had to practice austerity. Germany often pushes for financial rules that are beneficial to their export economy.

I don’t think most EU countries want to be a federation at this point. Close ties, yes, but not loss of sovereignty.

For a simple majority, they can’t enact things on their own. However they can hold up a qualified majority with just a few smaller states due to their size. The EU is about broad consensus which is why it moves slowly for anything regarding sovereignty, which includes immigration and defence.

The veto thing is the only way the individual countries can maintain their sovereignty. It’s a union, not federation. There should definitely be mutual cooperation on defence, immigration etc but nobody will agree to cooperation if they are obliged to follow other countries plan. Ireland, for instance is constitutionally neutral. Small countries won’t want to be bullied by larger, so France and Germany combine almost could control everything with simple majorities. Larger countries want the smaller countries to contribute their fair share and not be carried.

If only journalism was this blunt at an earlier point than after he won, again.

LLM are already good at tone for letters etc. As much as it may not be 100%, I’d say it’s close. Using flowery language is not necessarily better. However, I don’t think I’ve ever read a Dutch book translated to English. If this makes art more accessible across language barriers, I’m all for it.

80s

Wasn’t Ukraine having similar discussions and elections about 15 years ago…

Hard to make the call as to whether now is a good time to move closer to the EU from a risk of invasion perspective, when they are currently already in a war with Ukraine and busy, or if the ramped up war machine makes it even riskier.

Most other countries have their post Covid inflation mostly under control, if not in their preferred band, they are considering rate cuts. Obviously war is not conducive to that. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the cost of war became a problem that hindered it, which was the point of institutions like the eu in the first place.

As a foreign born person, now living in Australia with Australian citizenship, Australia has undoubted racism, including casual racism, institutional racism and blatant bigotry. However, viokent hate crimes are much more rare. Australians are generally welcoming, even to those they hold outdated racist views against. Its not people in masks lighting crosses on lawns. Its people being friendly with foreigners at work but never making friends with them, despite doing the same with white coworkers. Its having neoghbours whobyou are friendly with and borrow tools from each other but still roll your eyes as they dont eat bacon, son you couldn’t possibly invite them over for a barbecue as your potato salad has bacon bits on top. Its denying original Australians a voice in the Parliament.

However, China has a much bigger problem with racism where there is purposeful genocide. However, China’s criticism rings true, because it is.

Australia can and will do better as most peopke dont want to be racist. There is a fringe far right element, like most western countries but its not the norm. I thibknchina will also do better as their exposure to other cultures and peoples increases.

I imaging so, however, it would be likely a difficult/expensive behavior to imitate, so hopefully it means it can stay a step ahead for longer. Its always going to be a game of cat and mouse.

I think both being social constructs of social animals, there is probably same shared neurology or biology, or psychology in our actions around our gender, culture and race.

However, as a construct, we don’t deem a white person who grows up in black culture to be black. We don’t consider a tomboy, who climbs trees with boys to be a boy (despite the name).

We know that people change their accents and language subconsciously around different subcultures, like code switching.

From a biological standpoint, we don’t really understand the purpose of being trans or gay. There are theories about nurturing and village raises a child etc. However, we know that transition gives better lives to trans people, similarly, we know gay people don’t respond well to conversion therapy. For someone like Rachel, it seems to be a fantasy and the general thinking around that is enabling it feeds into the fantasy and encourages unhealthy thought processes, rather than the opposite in transition for trans people. However, I’m. It sure that psychologists or psychiatrists would agree, or if that’s just pop psychology.

That doesn’t make her beliefs invalid. However, they are not common enough to have a recognised course of action. In the end, as it’s all a construct, can’t we just let her be who she wants to be if it’s not hurting anyone and we don’t know any better? I’d agree that those who are using her for comparison aren’t doing so in good faith.

Weird

Didn’t know that was a thing. Glad to find out. Gives purpose.