Video Dispatch: The End of More

The world that we’re entering is fundamentally different than where we’ve been. The modern period we live in began with Columbus. It has been one of “more:”–near unending growth (population, capital, consumption)–all accelerated by post-Bretton Woods Order. Modern Monetary Theory is probably not the answer to address a future of shrinking populations, consumption, and growth but I am comforted by the fact that folks are looking into heterodox solutions to address an unprecedented future. 

The Age of Constant Growth is over. What comes next?

If you enjoy our free newsletters, the team at Zeihan on Geopolitics asks you to consider donating to Feeding America.

The economic lockdowns in the wake of COVID-19 left many without jobs and additional tens of millions of people, including children, without reliable food. Feeding America works with food manufacturers and suppliers to provide meals for those in need and provides direct support to America’s food banks.

Food pantries are facing declining donations from grocery stores with stretched supply chains. At the same time, they are doing what they can to quickly scale their operations to meet demand. But they need donations – they need cash – to do so now.

Feeding America is a great way to help in difficult times.

The team at Zeihan on Geopolitics thanks you and hopes you continue to enjoy our work.

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Video Dispatch: The US Labor Market

A combination of factors have workers feeling more confident in looking for better-paying jobs (or at least, less willing to work ones they don’t like for at-or-near minimum wage). While things may seem bleak now between fewer restaurant worker shifts and meme-able signs on fast food drive-thrus, the post-COVID labor recovery in coming years will see a combination of factors restructure how labor and wages work: increased automation of low-end jobs, a move up the value chain of American workers, and the relative scarcity of Gen Z workers compared to Millennials.

If you enjoy our free newsletters, the team at Zeihan on Geopolitics asks you to consider donating to Feeding America.

The economic lockdowns in the wake of COVID-19 left many without jobs and additional tens of millions of people, including children, without reliable food. Feeding America works with food manufacturers and suppliers to provide meals for those in need and provides direct support to America’s food banks.

Food pantries are facing declining donations from grocery stores with stretched supply chains. At the same time, they are doing what they can to quickly scale their operations to meet demand. But they need donations – they need cash – to do so now.

Feeding America is a great way to help in difficult times.

The team at Zeihan on Geopolitics thanks you and hopes you continue to enjoy our work.

DONATE TO FEEDING AMERICA

Video Dispatch: Mexico’s Midterm Elections

Mexicans went to the polls over the weekend. Preliminary results indicate that while incumbent president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s (better known as AMLO) MORENA coalition will maintain a majority in Congress, AMLO did not score a two-thirds majority necessary to amend the constitution. 

AMLO’s mix of economic wishful thinking and populist tendencies has resulted in a mix of policies ranging from increasing government control over the energy industry while simultaneously ignoring Mexico’s rising drug violence problems and leaving most local authorities to handle COVID on their own. All this, with a healthy amount of disrespect for any government institutions seeking to place limits on what he views as his vast presidential powers.

However onerous his attempts to install himself as grand-poohbah-god-king of Mexico may be, what his populist measures will ultimately do is impede Mexico’s ability to compete for investment in the coming deglobalization and shift away from China. Mexico’s proximity to the United States and already strong economic integration with its northern neighbor means that this investment and development will still likely come Mexico’s way, but with a lot of unnecessarily delays and extra costs for all involved.

If you enjoy our free newsletters, the team at Zeihan on Geopolitics asks you to consider donating to Feeding America.

The economic lockdowns in the wake of COVID-19 left many without jobs and additional tens of millions of people, including children, without reliable food. Feeding America works with food manufacturers and suppliers to provide meals for those in need and provides direct support to America’s food banks.

Food pantries are facing declining donations from grocery stores with stretched supply chains. At the same time, they are doing what they can to quickly scale their operations to meet demand. But they need donations – they need cash – to do so now.

Feeding America is a great way to help in difficult times.

The team at Zeihan on Geopolitics thanks you and hopes you continue to enjoy our work.

DONATE TO FEEDING AMERICA

Video Dispatch: COVID’s Last Stand?

The United States has made remarkable progress in vaccinating large swathes of its population since the beginning of the year. Despite near walk-in availability of vaccines across the country, however, a significant portion of the population–nearly 30%–has not receive any dose of available vaccines. 

Infection and mortality rates are dropping precipitously and steadily across all vaccinated groups in the United States. This good news belies the fact that COVID remains as pernicious and deadly (if not more so, thanks to these pesky variants) among unvaccinated Americans. Summertime temperatures, and indoor congregating and shared A/C, will likely see a final surge among unvaccinated Americans in the sunbelt states stretching from California through Georgia before the end of the year. If you have not yet received your vaccine, we here at Zeihan at Geopolitics urge you to do so.

Heck, you might even get a free beer!

If you enjoy our free newsletters, the team at Zeihan on Geopolitics asks you to consider donating to Feeding America.

The economic lockdowns in the wake of COVID-19 left many without jobs and additional tens of millions of people, including children, without reliable food. Feeding America works with food manufacturers and suppliers to provide meals for those in need and provides direct support to America’s food banks.

Food pantries are facing declining donations from grocery stores with stretched supply chains. At the same time, they are doing what they can to quickly scale their operations to meet demand. But they need donations – they need cash – to do so now.

Feeding America is a great way to help in difficult times.

The team at Zeihan on Geopolitics thanks you and hopes you continue to enjoy our work.

DONATE TO FEEDING AMERICA