| bi to uni to multi polar “The downfall of the Soviet Union in December 1991 drew the curtain from a bipolar world dominated by the former and the U.S.”[1] Thirty-one years later and the buzz words summing up the gist of the current changes on the geopolitical world scene are “unipolar” (the end of) and “multipolar” (the beginning of). The “unipolar” refers to the USEmpire’s dominance and the rule of the dollar, along with backing from various European countries; “multipolar” refers to the emerging powerhouses, Russia and China, along with their various collaborations with countries such as Iran and India. Three key elements stand out: (1) spearheaded by China, the Belt Road Initiative (BRI) (formerly One Belt One Road); (2) de-dollarization in various world economic wheelings and dealings, which is an aspect of, (3) the recent dramatic shifts due to realignments due to the sanctions against Russia, which, ironically or perhaps predictably, have backfired or boomeranged and are bringing a good chunk of the 88% closer together. Pepe Escobar highlights this in his recent article: “Putin smashed the illusions of the so-called ‘golden billion’ who live in the industrialized west (only 12 percent of the global population) and the “irresponsible macroeconomic policies of the G7 countries.”” Thus the ““new G8” – four BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China), plus Iran, Indonesia, Turkey and Mexico,” along with “Eurasia integration.”[2](For a more in-depth study about all that, there’s ample info out there and, imho, any article or interview with independent geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar is an excellent source, plus there's a transcript from the “St Petersburg International Economic Forum Plenary session”[3] of which are quotes further on in this article.) shiftings Multipolar requires working WITH various countries rather than dictatoring to them the rules, as, for example, the IMF has done been doing with economic hit men style to many a poorer country's debt detriment. Contrasting integration is predatory competition; since 2017, USE’s Great Power Competition (the bastard child of the Global War OF Terror) has been aiming to topple Russia and China. I call this emerging prominence of Russia, China and Co., Empire Lite*. Empire, because what’s happening is massive with regard to economics, resources, industrialization and transportation; and Lite because the emphasis is not as the USEmpire has been since its modern military base inception in 1940[4] (before that there were forts to battle the Native Nations), with massive expansion post WW II to an estimated 1,000 military bases! Instead the emphasis is on economics and resources actually providing for people and improving the quality of lives — rather than destroying, as military base infrastructure is wont to do. Yet the Lite is far from harmless, hence the *asterisk. What is being overlooked in all of this shift are the extractive and mining side-effects as related to Mother Earth, the materially poor and the Indigenous/Original Peoples. A root of the word “empire” is “pere- to produce, procure (get possession of), allot,” revealing that empires are extractive business enterprises, and as history shows, belligerent ones. Yet even if not belligerent as in mafiaesque economic ultimatums and wars, there are the toxic side-effects of excessive extractivism and mining to deal with. So that's where I'm concerned about Empire Lite*. The simplest answer to all this is less consumption and less resources extraction, which would give land and water habitats the opportunities to heal, thus avoiding obliteration – but tell that to the billions of people clamoring for food, shelter, and basic supplies, or those wanting to make profits off of everything. This is perhaps THE conundrum of these times. Worth noting is that at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Plenary session cited above, there were several references to the natural world and climate issues. I provide quotes of some of those mentions so that the reader can get a sense of how genuine they are and/or how greenwashing, how lip service under an economic umbrella they are: President Putin: “... last March, we cancelled routine audits for all entrepreneurs, regardless of the size of their businesses, provided their activities do not put people or the environment at high risk.” &President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: “There are constraining factors for economic growth such as climate change, growing migration flows, and faster technological change. We certainly pay attention to these processes.”President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi: “Adding to this are the mega industrial projects and the numerous projects in the field of clean energy production...”multipolar is nothing new When thinking of unipolar vs. multipolar in the context of unheard voices, what came to mind is the tipi/tepee. Here's a drawing showing the significance of the tipi from the Lakota perspective.[5]
“The tepee is durable, provides warmth and comfort in winter, is cool in the heat of summer, and is dry during heavy rains. Tepees can be disassembled and packed away quickly when people need to relocate and can be reconstructed quickly upon settling in a new area. Historically, this portability was important to Plains Indians with their at-times nomadic lifestyle. A similar structure, the lavvu, is used by the Indigenous Sámi people of northern Europe.”[6] The Wikipedia description reads like something that if it didn't say “tepee” would be being pitched as the greatest new invention to solve climate and consumption problems. So it's thought-provoking to note: there's evidence of tipis going back approximately 2,500 years.[7] And perhaps farther if no traces were left. Along with the physical attributes of the tipi, the significance of each pole shown in the image (albeit only English translations) conveys consciousness and behaviors barely mentioned in the discussions and forums about the emerging multipolar industrialized world. Not including the voices, perspectives and knowledge of the Original Peoples will severely hamper the potential of these shifting times. The tipi is just one example of living in harmony with the land (poles rooted in Earth) and the cosmos (poles pointing to the Sky/Stars). However quixotic it may seem to some – especially those accentuating scientific, linear, and analytical mindsets – not listening to, not looking to guidance from the Earth and from the Stars will severely jeopardize the potential of this crucial juncture for humanity and all sentient beings. sticking point “According to the CDP Global Supply Chain Report released [in February, 2021], a total of $1.26 trillion in revenue losses is anticipated for suppliers within the next five years due to climate change, deforestation, and water insecurity. Additionally, corporate buyers stand to inherit $120 billion in increased environmental costs by 2026.”[8] Are “climate change, deforestation, and water insecurity” priorities for Empire Lite*? Will the “environmental costs” be passed on to the consumer? “CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.”[9] And that means, while corporations and governments may be finding ways to reduce carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions, their main objective is minimizing financial losses, not feed starving masses. Don't believe me? “With over $1 trillion at risk, "leading companies that manage and reduce environmental risks in their supply chains will benefit from lower costs and better reputations, giving them a more competitive edge today and being more resilient for the economy of tomorrow," says Sonya Bhonsle, Global Head of Value Chains at CDP.”[10] However, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Plenary there were various mentions of food security issues, hence much depends on which corporations and which governments. According to Pepe Escobar's summary of the Economic Forum, “Russia will supply grains to Africa and the Middle East.” empire lite* and the Earth dwellers An “economy of tomorrow” is a greedy delusion if the perils of today are not faced. And if we throw all our efforts into finance, technology, and streamlining the production and transportation of supplies, we will remove the possibilities of thinking and using our intuition like the Original Peoples who fashioned the tipi, the igloo, the lavvu, the yurt, and other such structures, along with the ways of living that made those structures satisfactory, that made those structures an acceptable aspect of a lifestyle that respects the Earth, the waterways, forests, tundras, deserts . . . a lifestyle not seeking to possess a damn thing rather care for every thing, every being. While I'm somewhat relieved by the possibility that the accentuation of multipolar commerce and trade can minimize or who knows maybe eliminate wars for profit and instead more easily provide for basic needs, I am deeply concerned about the corporate greed, governmental fixation on the economy, and the side-effects such commerce and the infrastructure to make it happen will have if the well-being of the Earth, the Waters and Skies are not made priorities along with the essential necessities of food, clean water and shelter. NOTES: [1] “Unipolar, bipolar and multipolar World order” [2] “St. Petersburg sets the stage for the War of Economic Corridors” [3] See here. [4] Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World – David Vine, Metropolitan Books, 2015, p.17 [5] Akantu Institute https://www.akantuinstitute.org/gatherings [6] Tipi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipi [7] “Uncovering the Archaeological Remains of Tipis” https://www.thoughtco.com/tipi-rings-archaeological-remains-173036 [8] “Climate Change Will Cost Companies $1.3 Trillion By 2026” https://www.forbes.com/sites/rosecelestin/2021/03/05/climate-change-will-cost-companies-13-trillion-by-2026/?sh=1c32eb2c6cdc [9] https://www.cdp.net/en [10] Ibid #8. Mankh (Walter E. Harris III) is an essayist and resident poet at Axis of Logic. Check out his newest book Moving Through The Empty Gate Forest: inside looking out. In addition to his work as a writer and small press publisher, he travels a holistic mystic pathway staying in touch with Turtle Island. His website is here. |
