{"id":69428,"date":"2025-10-24T07:38:45","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69428"},"modified":"2025-10-24T07:38:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:38:45","slug":"todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-ccxviii-were-saved-good-government-has-humanitys-back-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69428","title":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CCXVIII&#8211;We\u2019re Saved! \u2018Good Government\u2019 Has Humanity\u2019s Back. Part 2."},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-header\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Post header\">\n<h1 class=\"post-title published title-X77sOw\" dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Today\u2019s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CCXVIII<\/h1>\n<h3 class=\"post-title published title-X77sOw\" dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center;\">We\u2019re Saved! \u2018Good Government\u2019 Has Humanity\u2019s Back. Part 2.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"available-content\">\n<div class=\"body markup\" dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!6LuS!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"466\" height=\"309\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/f266730d-74fb-4239-8b66-863fdf713768_466x309.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:309,&quot;width&quot;:466,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/dreamstime.com\/\" rel=\"\">dreamstime.com<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the first part of this multi-part Contemplation (see\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69411\" rel=\"\">Website<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@stevebull-4168\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-ccxvii-we-re-saved-80cf999d606a\" rel=\"\">Medium<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/p\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-2ad\" rel=\"\">Substack<\/a><\/strong>) I laid out my reason for examining critically the commonly-held belief that humanity\u2019s major \u2018problems\u2019 and\/or \u2018predicaments\u2019 can be \u2018solved\u2019 by governments. Using the Canadian constitutional principle of \u2018peace, order, and good government\u2019, I argue that the belief in governing institutions as benevolent problem-solvers is a conditioned one that is masking the true nature of state power and the individuals\/families leveraging this to their benefit.<\/p>\n<p>While the Integrationist model of the development of governing institutions is one of voluntary \u2018leaders\u2019 working for the collective good (and the one pushed by the world\u2019s ruling \u2018elite\u2019), the opposing Conflict model argues that such structures are primarily the result of coercion and exploitation by a small \u2018elite\u2019 class manipulating control over resource surpluses to maintain power and wealth hierarchies.<\/p>\n<p>Archaeological evidence challenges the benevolent Integrationist perspective and tends to support the Conflict theory, although a modern synthesis of the two models suggests that what began as systems benefitting everyone in small, local population groups eventually transitioned to large, complex states with entrenched and stratified hierarchies where most benefits accrued amongst a small number of ruling elite. This ruling \u2018class\/caste\u2019 provided some measure of benefits for the society they were members of but their actions served mostly to maintain their own legitimacy and societal stability so as to not disrupt the status quo wealth and power structures that they greatly benefitted from.<\/p>\n<p>I close Part 1 with a summary of how modern governments maintain these structures and continue to support the ruling elite: manipulation of social narratives; framing of elite self-interest as a public good; creation of a supportive \u2018retainer\/courtier\u2019 class; use of performative spectacles; redistribution of some benefits in order to mollify the public and leverage this largesse for propaganda purposes; and, narrative management via attempted control of debate, especially in the sociopolitical realm.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you wish to help support my writing and online presence, you can purchase the\u00a0<strong>Olduvai trilogy<\/strong>\u00a0for just $9.99 CDN. Place your order\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?page_id=22624\" rel=\"\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">and\/or<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!uHBm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"233\" height=\"73\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/35e7f116-e62a-463c-a44c-d60398a09c11_233x73.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:73,&quot;width&quot;:233,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/olduvai\" rel=\"\">CLICK HERE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Given the evidence it seems clear that any belief in a benevolent \u2018good government\u2019 that can save humanity from the growing number of problems and predicaments it is experiencing (primarily if not entirely due to the limits to growth on a finite planet) is misguided since these institutions are not composed of benevolent \u2018managers\u2019 working in the public interest. They are structures that arose from and continue to operate using exploitation and coercion to protect status quo power and wealth hierarchies first and foremost. Societal benefits that flow from these are a secondary phenomenon, at best.<\/p>\n<p>That this is increasingly apparent seems to make little difference to most people and their continuing faith in their governments. And even if one does hold some negative feelings about their government, many (most?) believe that these institutions can be more helpful with just the correct person or party \u2018in charge\u2019 and\/or a bit of tweaking around the edges.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Integrationists Are Us!<br \/>\n<\/strong>It should be of no surprise to anyone that the elite and their courtiers emphasise the integrative aspects of the world\u2019s sociopolitical systems; nor that the vast majority of a state\u2019s citizens believe in these. One group does so in order to keep the significant benefits they receive from status quo arrangements flowing to them without much in the way of dissent from the masses being exploited. The other does so to keep alive the notion that they have agency in the sociopolitical arena (and thus some control over what\u2019s happening) and to reduce the anxiety-provoking thoughts that cognitive dissonance would create were they to realise that they are being manipulated, constantly, by those \u2018s\/elected\u2019 to \u2018represent\u2019 them, and that these representatives don\u2019t truly have citizen welfare at the core of their being.<\/p>\n<p>The Canadian government\u2019s \u2018peace, order, and good government\u2019 constitutional phrase and the philosophical implications it leverages are perfect examples of a ruling elite promoting its legitimacy through the benefits it provides. According to our politicians and bureaucrats the sociopolitical systems are performing as they were intended by solving collective problems and benefitting everyone, and any opposition to the government or dissent to status quo arrangements and its guarantee of \u2018order\u2019 are framed as \u2018threats\u2019 that must be nullified.<\/p>\n<p>Who gets to define what is \u2018order\u2019 or \u2018good government\u2019 is rarely if ever questioned. That the phrase and associated terms\/words tend to be used when the government is seeking to expand its power or quiet dissent is conveniently overlooked\u2013especially by the legacy media which bills itself as one of the few checks on elite power but is, in fact, owned and operated by the very elite in question here, and thus compromising significantly the ability of the press to act as impartial watchdogs.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!KEtd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"713\" height=\"345\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/7a24091d-100c-44bc-9268-7b4c817bf69b_713x345.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:345,&quot;width&quot;:713,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Politicians market virtually every policy and action of their government as addressing issues raised by the electorate in a positive and beneficent manner, and these are part and parcel of the never-ending propaganda to help legitimise the systems that exist (the legacy media also being a significant purveyor of this). Sure, some minor adjustments may be necessary but the structures in place are working and serving the masses, and we\u2019re working towards perfecting them.<\/p>\n<p>Examples of nepotism or corruption are one-offs being perpetrated by \u2018bad\u2019 individuals and not reflective of the system. Besides, without our benevolent government and its selfless leaders and bureaucrats anarchy would spread everywhere, placing all our wonderful \u2018progress\u2019 (which, of course, they\u2019ve helped bring about) at risk; and\/or open the door to those evil \u2018others\u2019 waiting at the gate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Growth As the Modern Driver Of \u2018Good\u2019 Government<br \/>\n<\/strong>Keeping in mind the discussion above (and in Part 1), it\u2019s important to recognise that beyond the drive to legitimise itself and the wealth and power structures which exist perhaps one of the most prominent ways that a government argues it \u2018serves\u2019 the masses in the modern era is via \u2018prosperity\u2019 brought to everyone through perpetual economic growth. And this cuts broadly across all political parties regardless of policy and leanings: they all emphasise continuous growth of the economy and the prosperity for all that this will bring\u2013even the so-called environmentally-conscious parties that should know better push endless growth, they simply colour it \u2018green\u2019.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ApGC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"506\" height=\"449\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/790f4853-7423-4cf0-a61e-2feca2032fff_506x449.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:449,&quot;width&quot;:506,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/quickmeme.com\/\" rel=\"\">quickmeme.com<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Growth of the economy is ever-present in the marketing of the modern government as beneficent for citizens. You can see this everyday be it in the statements made by the opposition and how they will improve everyone\u2019s prosperity via economic growth when in power, or in the pronouncements made by the sitting government after: trade deals following political junkets abroad; almost every new policy, budget, or legislation that is introduced; and, the opening or expansion of businesses. Virtually every statement is about maintaining or expanding \u2018growth\u2019; and if it\u2019s not about economic growth, it will certainly stress the significant benefits that will be showered upon the community\/region\/nation as a result of the growth that they are creating.<\/p>\n<p>That the government diverts money and resources towards \u2018benefits\u2019 for society is not in question here. It does (although, whether these \u2018benefits\u2019 are actually good for society in the long run is up for debate). But it also passes on a good portion of a society\u2019s \u2018wealth\u2019 to the ruling elite through a variety of mechanisms, particularly through its pursuit of the infinite growth chalice. All one has to do is look at the data on wealth concentration to see how things are working out differentially for the \u2018elite\u2019 and everyone else as time goes by and greater growth is pursued.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!T-sT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"716\" height=\"535\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/f3603bbb-8f76-4a36-99cb-f2a6e1408f13_716x535.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:535,&quot;width&quot;:716,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<h6 class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"http:\/\/wikipedia.com\/\" rel=\"\">wikipedia.com<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>As argued, governments often (if not always) highlight the economic benefits for society of their actions and legislation. It will attract funding. It will improve employment opportunities. It will address poverty and inequality. It will lower the cost of living. It will bring security. It will fix infrastructure deficiencies. It will make housing more affordable. It will assure continued \u2018progress\u2019. It will stabalise the economy. It will solve homelessness. It will improve healthcare services. It will clear up our climate change \u2018problem\u2019. It will do this and it will do that.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, it will do everything and more, especially take us to the promised land of peace, prosperity, and progress for all! Have faith. It will happen. Any. Moment. Now.<\/p>\n<p>Politicians and the retainer class that supports it repeatedly emphasise and take credit for booming economies while pointing to \u2018uncontrollable\u2019 and \u2018unforeseeable\u2019 external events during downturns. What the government and its politicians never say or intimate is that what this growth will primarily do is help to enrich the ruling elite. They also never acknowledge the ecological destruction that accompanies this pursuit, or the people who are disenfranchised by it.<\/p>\n<p>And when economies contract\/falter and the wealthy and their business ventures are at risk, corporate bail-outs and\/or monetary policy \u2018tweaks\u2019 seem to be ever-present.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!HXfF!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"473\" height=\"195\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/fb6ffc28-5ef2-4381-a198-b23f445c8b7b_473x195.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:195,&quot;width&quot;:473,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"http:\/\/thedemlabs.org\/\" rel=\"\">thedemlabs.org<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>This approach aligns perfectly with the Conflict perspective.<\/p>\n<p>Engineering economic growth for the benefit of all is considered the modern government\u2019s primary function. This is marketed as being for society as a whole but the mechanisms it uses to do this tend to enrich a small fraction of the population at the expense of the rest.<\/p>\n<p>They implement expansionary fiscal policy particularly through tax cuts and government spending. And although most nation\u2019s central banks tend to be viewed as independent in nature, governments strongly influence the monetary policy that these central banks put in place; policy that overwhelmingly benefits the ruling elite.<\/p>\n<p>Since fiat currencies were removed from their connection to precious metals, governments (along with the financial institutions they \u2018regulate\u2019) have flooded the world with increasing amounts of credit-\/debt-based \u2018money\u2019 to help goose growth\u2013estimates are that governments are responsible for about 20% of this \u2018money\u2019 growth and financial institutions the remaining 80%.<\/p>\n<p>The vast majority of this money growth is in the form of debt. Government debt. Business debt. Consumer debt. Debt has become viewed as a positive in helping to support economic growth by many but what is not mentioned is that because it is debt-\/credit-based \u2018money\u2019 that is created, future growth is a must to pay off the interest that accrues on top of the base amount borrowed. So part of the need to push growth is due to the need to have the lenders (private financial institutions) paid back for the loans they made, along with interest.<\/p>\n<p>But this is all okay because just as a benevolent chief would redistribute food during times of scarcity, our modern governments are seen as redistributing wealth through their policies and legislation, where a rising tide lifts all boats.<\/p>\n<p>And, again, what\u2019s not shared is that economic growth is the primary means for those in a society\u2019s ruling class to consolidate wealth and power. Under the mantra of stimulating growth, governments roll back costly regulations, provide tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, and subsidise industries\u2014actions that benefit the ruling elite at the expense of the masses. Governments also do next to nothing to reign in the debt-money creation by private financial institutions; in fact, they tend to encourage this.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!sJ1j!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"726\" height=\"439\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/1dabefe9-ccf5-4400-9eb1-40b2f683aefe_726x439.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:439,&quot;width&quot;:726,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<h6 class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.river.com\/\" rel=\"\">www.river.com<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Long-term data not only shows that the vast majority of a nation\u2019s \u2018wealth\u2019 generation\/extraction flows to those at the top of a society\u2019s wealth structures, but that the divide this creates has been growing more quickly for the past 50+ years\u2013a greater and greater amount of wealth has become concentrated in the hands of the few, creating an ever-larger gap between the \u2018haves\u2019 and the \u2018have-nots\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>That the trends over time correlate highly with fiat currency expansion is probably not coincidental. It was the elite after all who pushed to have private banks take over currency creation and distribution as well as to abrogate the Bretton Woods Agreement that tied the world\u2019s reserve currency to gold and opened the door to infinite fiat currency creation.<\/p>\n<p>The most vocal advocates for growth tend to be a society\u2019s retainer class. Not only does this group\u2019s status and income depend greatly on perpetuation of status quo systems, but the elite rely greatly on this non-elite but privileged group to pump up the volume on the perpetual growth pursuit narrative\u2013it\u2019s imperative that the primary beneficiaries are well hidden behind the curtains so that the masses cannot connect the dots and come to realise how taken advantage by the ruling elite they are.<\/p>\n<p>It also should be no surprise that this pursuit\u2013that is marketed as the best thing since sliced bread for society\u2013allows for the implementation of policies\/legislation that might normally raise significant concerns. I see this in my home province of Ontario where the provincial government has recently begun marketing the \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/ontarios-ring-fire\" rel=\"\">Ring of Fire<\/a>\u2019 area where they are heralding a massive expansion of critical mineral mining in undeveloped regions in the north of the province, emphasising the significant economic benefits that will befall the province\u2019s people\u2013what they don\u2019t say is that this venture will not only mostly favour the elite through the wealth that will flow to them but will involve tremendous ecological destruction and a mammoth growth in the dispersal of various toxic wastes and pollutants (to say little about the land use changes, biodiversity loss, and indigenous people\u2019s treaty rights violations that will result).<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, \u2018bread and circuses\u2019 diversions are reflected in today\u2019s consumerist culture where the pinnacle of freedom and success for many is one\u2019s ability to acquire more goods. What a fantastic way to forget that one doesn\u2019t have sociopolitical agency, and that systemic inequalities pervade society and are being exacerbated through actions that are being marketed as the exact opposite.<\/p>\n<p>As well, we have the legacy media cheerleading such growth, emphasising for the most part all the talking points of the government and ruling elite. Not really the power-checking impartial watchdogs holding the elite\u2019s feet to the fire that they market themselves as.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!U2T9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"477\" height=\"269\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/3cf017c6-dc77-4140-9f1c-e38abad3d7a5_477x269.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:269,&quot;width&quot;:477,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<h6 class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"http:\/\/pininterest.com\/\" rel=\"\">pininterest.com<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Finally, any debate within the sociopolitical realm is managed so as to be strictly within system-supportive boundaries such as how to achieve growth and how to do it to everyone\u2019s benefit. People are directed towards \u2018smart\u2019 or \u2018green\u2019 growth rather than allowed to raise the perils of the pursuit. There\u2019s no consideration of not chasing growth for such challenges to this most-imperative path are mostly verboten. It\u2019s \u2018progress\u2019 and you can\u2019t stop it; it\u2019s human nature after all.<\/p>\n<p>The pursuit of perpetual economic growth\u2013marketed to you mostly by the government and its media mouthpieces, but supported by the entire ruling class\u2013is central to human prosperity and progress we are repeatedly told. We are exposed to stories that anything that disrupts or challenges this quest is horribly wrong and must be vanquished. That infinite growth on a finite planet runs counter to physical reality is ignored or harshly demonised.<\/p>\n<p>The frontline performers present themselves as benevolent servants helping to guide us to a utopian future. We are not told about the negative consequences of their approach (especially for a planet with limited compensatory sinks) but are repeatedly exposed to the benefits for all from it. These are hammered home again and again. Neither are we told or even allowed to contemplate that the story is a myth that helps legitimise the systems that primarily serve the interests of a relatively few ruling elite.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Historical Myths<br \/>\n<\/strong>There have been a number of similar myths throughout human history to help legitimise governing institutions. And they all tend to serve the same fundamental purpose: justify\/rationalise\/reinforce the power and wealth hierarchies that exist in any large complex society.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps one of the earliest and most powerful, given it endured for millennia, was the \u2018divine right to lead\u2019 or \u2018mandate from heaven\u2019. In this story, the ruler (be it Pharaoh or King) was actually a god or descended from gods or given the right to lead by a god, and as such the power wielded was absolute and non-negotiable. To challenge such a rule was to invite disorder and chaos. Obedience was a duty of both a religious and cosmic nature. Resistance was blasphemy.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Prince John: I did not make myself king. God did. King by divine right.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!9mjV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"892\" height=\"381\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/b30e04cd-7878-486b-83c5-123ca51899cd_892x381.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:381,&quot;width&quot;:892,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<h6 class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=A01l_p2xnPE\" rel=\"\">Move Clip<\/a><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">\u00a0Robin Hood (2010)\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0955308\/companycredits\/?ref_=tt_dt_cmpy\" rel=\"\">Production Companies<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>The narrative that most aligns with the Integrationist perspective, however, is that of the ruling class as both a provider and protector; a benevolent \u2018managerial\u2019 class that was essential to society and its various organisational requirements but was entirely serving the people. The wealth this group accrued was not due to exploitation but was a necessary cost for managing the collective goods and resources on behalf of the masses. This vital class was also necessary to protect the people from rival tribes and invaders. So tributes and forfeiting certain freedoms during times of \u2018crisis\u2019 were a necessary cost to support the armies and ruling authority; without these disorder and chaos would reign. Safety and stability were the benefits provided by the ruling elite.<\/p>\n<p>As empires expanded over time, the stories told had to reflect their needing to rule over diverse and conquered lands. Often it became about bringing law, order, cultural refinement, and\/or religion to \u2018barbaric\/uncivilised\u2019 peoples. The message here by the conquering group was that they were bringing civilisation to \u2018backward\u2019 lands. Note that today\u2019s version of this, and often used by the U.S. Empire when it \u2018intervenes\u2019 in a nation, is the desire to \u2018bring democracy\u2019 to \u2018authoritarian\u2019 regimes.<\/p>\n<p>Medieval Europe witnessed the rise of a story about mutual obligation and a god-given social order. A religious and philosophical-backed narrative about a universal and hierarchical structure that began with God and placed all others as subservient right down to animals, and everyone needed to remain in their appropriate place. A \u2018great chain of being\u2019 existed and must be heeded. Everyone had their role and social harmony was achieved when they adhered to God\u2019s order.<\/p>\n<p>With the Enlightenment, Scientific Revolution, and rise of capitalism came revolutions against kingly rights and god-created social orders. The \u2018right to rule\u2019 transitioned towards ideas of sovereignty and \u2018consent of the governed\u2019. The modern state, on behalf of the people, would be charged with providing stability and material prosperity; a logical successor to the \u2018provider\u2019 narrative of times past. And economic growth has become the means by which this is accomplished.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!zK7z!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"269\" height=\"242\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/0e82de75-992d-4283-a585-966ba61456f0_269x242.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:242,&quot;width&quot;:269,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Perpetual Economic Growth Meet Finite Planet<br \/>\n<\/strong>It should be self-evident that pursuing the perpetual economic growth chalice on a finite planet is \u2018problematic\u2019. Such an obvious impossibility has not halted the attempts, however, or the stories being created to both rationalise\/justify and maintain them.<\/p>\n<p>Being masterful in weaving narratives to aid their control levers, the elite will no doubt adapt their tales and policies as the contradiction between their infinite growth imperative and the biogeophysical limits of a finite planet become increasingly obvious and \u2018problematic\u2019. In fact, as some argue, we are already beginning to see an increasing tendency towards such shifts as the need for societal \u2018control\u2019 grows in the face of various \u2018limits to growth\u2019 predicaments and the negative consequences of these expand.<\/p>\n<p>More on the collision between chasing economic growth and our finite planet, as well as how our ruling elite and their \u2018benevolent\u2019 governing institutions will likely proceed over the near-term future given this collision in my next Contemplation\u2026<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>A few recent and relevant posts:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/chrissmaje.substack.com\/p\/my-constituents-are-leaving-town\" rel=\"\">My Constituents Are\u2026Leaving Town<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/surplusenergyeconomics.wordpress.com\/2025\/09\/25\/311-putting-it-together-part-two\/\" rel=\"\">#311: Putting it together, part two | Surplus Energy Economics<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/surplusenergyeconomics.wordpress.com\/2025\/10\/11\/312-a-stroll-along-revolution-street\/\" rel=\"\">#312: A stroll along revolution street | Surplus Energy Economics<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thelivingfractalcollapse.substack.com\/p\/the-roman-pattern-how-civilizations\" rel=\"\">The Roman Pattern: How Civilizations Collapse Like Living Systems<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalman.com\/articles\/now-is-the-time-of-monsters\/\" rel=\"\">\u201cNow Is the Time of Monsters\u201d &#8211; Doug Casey\u2019s International Man<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenklippenstein.com\/p\/secretive-watchlisting-center-executing\" rel=\"\">Secretive Watchlisting Center Executing NSPM-7<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/collapsecurriculum.substack.com\/p\/the-patterns-of-collapse-from-rome\" rel=\"\">The Patterns of Collapse: From Rome to Today<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextwavefutures.wordpress.com\/2025\/05\/20\/limits-to-growth-was-right-about-overshoot-and-collapse-new-data\/\" rel=\"\">Limits to Growth was right about collapse \u2013 the next wave<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/charleshughsmith.substack.com\/p\/not-what-we-expected-why-our-fixes\" rel=\"\">Not What We Expected: Why Our Fixes Will Fail<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetcritical.com\/p\/luke-kemp\" rel=\"\">Collapse for the 99% | Luke Kemp \u2013 by Rachel Donald<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/stories\/2020-09-24\/what-if-preventing-collapse-isnt-profitable\/\" rel=\"\">What If Preventing Collapse Isn\u2019t Profitable? \u2013 resilience<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/howtosavetheworld.ca\/2025\/10\/11\/signs-of-collapse-the-implosion-of-europe\/\" rel=\"\">Signs of Collapse: The Implosion of \u2018Europe\u2019 | how to save the world<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/neuburger.substack.com\/p\/chomsky-and-robinson-national-interest\" rel=\"\">Chomsky and Robinson: \u2018National Interest\u2019 Is a Euphemism<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ggtvstreams.substack.com\/p\/the-globalist-playbook-war-by-design\" rel=\"\">The Globalist Playbook: War By Design, Control By Crisis<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalresearch.ca\/beneath-the-flyover-beside-the-temple-challenging-development-what-is-development-colin-todhunter\/5902814\" rel=\"\">Beneath the Flyover, Beside the Temple: Challenging Development. \u201cWhat is Development\u201d?? Colin Todhunter &#8211; Global Research<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalman.com\/articles\/welcome-to-the-warfare-state\/\" rel=\"\">Welcome to the Warfare State &#8211; International Man<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thehonestsorcerer.substack.com\/p\/how-i-came-to-believe-that-civilization-fe3\" rel=\"\">How I Came To Believe That Civilization Is Unsustainable<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crisisinvesting.com\/p\/powell-just-signaled-the-end-of-quantitative\" rel=\"\">Powell Just Signaled the End of Quantitative Tightening<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/howtosavetheworld.ca\/2025\/10\/17\/would-you-fight-to-keep-your-country-together\/\" rel=\"\">Would You Fight To Keep Your Country Together? | how to save the world<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/charleshughsmith.substack.com\/p\/the-crisis-and-revolution-hidden\" rel=\"\">The Crisis and Revolution Hidden in Plain Sight<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/degrowthistheanswer.substack.com\/p\/survey-says-we-hate-our-lives\" rel=\"\">Survey Says We Hate Our Lives &#8211; by Matt Orsagh<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalman.com\/articles\/rulers-seek-to-rule\/\" rel=\"\">Rulers Seek to Rule &#8211; Doug Casey\u2019s International Man<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amgreatness.com\/2025\/10\/20\/ten-million-dukes\/\" rel=\"\">Ten Million Dukes \u203a American Greatness<\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>What is going to be my standard\u00a0<strong>WARNING\/ADVICE<\/strong>\u00a0going forward and that I have reiterated in various ways before this:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnly time will tell how this all unfolds but there\u2019s nothing wrong with preparing for the worst by \u2018collapsing now to avoid the rush\u2019 and pursuing self-sufficiency. By this I mean removing as many dependencies on the Matrix as is possible and making do, locally. And if one can do this without negative impacts upon our fragile ecosystems or do so while creating more resilient ecosystems, all the better.<\/p>\n<p>Building community (maybe even just household) resilience to as high a level as possible seems prudent given the uncertainties of an unpredictable future. There\u2019s no guarantee it will ensure \u2018recovery\u2019 after a significant societal stressor\/shock but it should increase the probability of it and that, perhaps, is all we can \u2018hope\u2019 for from its pursuit.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you have arrived here and get something out of my writing,\u00a0<strong>please consider ordering the trilogy of my \u2018fictional\u2019 novel series, Olduvai (PDF files; only $9.99 Canadian)<\/strong>, via my\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/\" rel=\"\">website<\/a>\u00a0or the link below \u2014 the \u2018profits\u2019 of which help me to keep my internet presence alive and first book available in print (and is available via various online retailers).<\/p>\n<p>Attempting a new payment system as I am contemplating shutting down my site in the future (given the ever-increasing costs to keep it running).<\/p>\n<p>If you are interested in purchasing any of the 3 books individually or the trilogy, please try the link below indicating which book(s) you are purchasing.<\/p>\n<p>Costs (Canadian dollars):<br \/>\nBook 1: $2.99<br \/>\nBook 2: $3.89<br \/>\nBook 3: $3.89<br \/>\nTrilogy: $9.99<\/p>\n<p><strong>Feel free to throw in a \u2018tip\u2019 on top of the base cost if you wish; perhaps by paying in U.S. dollars instead of Canadian. Every few cents\/dollars helps\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/paypal.me\/olduvaitrilogy?country.x=CA&amp;locale.x=en_US\" rel=\"\">https:\/\/paypal.me\/olduvaitrilogy?country.x=CA&amp;locale.x=en_US<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you do not hear from me within 48 hours or you are having trouble with the system, please email me: olduvaitrilogy@gmail.com.<\/p>\n<p>You can also find a variety of resources, particularly my summary notes for a handful of texts, especially William Catton\u2019s Overshoot and Joseph Tainter\u2019s Collapse of Complex Societies: see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?page_id=55981\" rel=\"\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CCXVIII We\u2019re Saved! \u2018Good Government\u2019 Has Humanity\u2019s Back. Part 2. dreamstime.com In the first part of this multi-part Contemplation (see\u00a0Website\u00a0Medium\u00a0Substack) I laid out my reason for examining critically the commonly-held belief that humanity\u2019s major \u2018problems\u2019 and\/or \u2018predicaments\u2019 can be \u2018solved\u2019 by governments. Using the Canadian constitutional principle of \u2018peace, order, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4,5,6,7],"tags":[240,379,34850,26071,6979,30370,33947],"class_list":["post-69428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-economics","category-energy-2","category-environment","category-geopolitics","category-liberty","category-survival-2","tag-economic-growth","tag-government","tag-mythical-narratives","tag-narrative-management","tag-ruling-elite","tag-todays-contemplation","tag-todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69428"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69429,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69428\/revisions\/69429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}