Confident elites reflect viable regimes. Today, elites on both sides of the Atlantic are anything but confident. For the past year, they have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief that things have turned out the way they have.
In the US, centrists are appalled that the masses seem so ungrateful for president Joe Biden’s economic successes that they are gravitating towards Donald Trump. In Europe, the sweeping gains of varieties of Trumpism at the expense of liberal icons like French president Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Greens have caused similar despondency.
Across the West, the failure of draconian sanctions to dent the Russian economy, and the resilience of Chinese tech companies in the face of severe sanctions, are stirring up a mixture of nihilism and jingoism. Three myths underpin the collective frustration of Western centrists who once took their hegemony for granted.
The first myth is that the political centre is, by definition, the far right’s greatest foe. The second is that of a representative agent, some fabled “average voter,” who decides elections. The third is that sanctions and tariffs would hold back China and Russia because of their dependence on Western technology, capital, and payment systems.
Each myth is worse than erroneous; all of them are misleading. Debunking them is a necessary, if insufficient, step towards making sense of the present.
Begin with the myth of a mighty clash between the centre and the far right and ask: Would Macron’s rise from nowhere to become president of France have happened if Marine Le Pen and her National Front (as it was then known) were not a strong challenger? By all accounts, no.
But would someone like Le Pen have become a strong challenger were it not for someone like Macron implementing policies that favour the already ultra-rich (through tax cuts and massive money printing) while allowing austerity to take an enormous toll on at least half the population? Again, no.
While there is no doubt that Macron and Le Pen (very much like the Democrats and Trump in the US) loathe each other, their power is symbiotic. The political centre’s policy of state socialism for the very few and austerity for the many feeds the neofascistic right whose rise feeds back into the centre’s strongest claim to be the only bulwark against neofascism.
Now consider the myth of the ungrateful average voter recklessly discounting Western economies’ robust post-pandemic rebound. The only people who find Macron’s political meltdown puzzling, or who blame the US masses for failing to appreciate the great economy Biden has bestowed upon them, live in a world of spreadsheets of per capita statistics and macroeconomic data.
For them, a decimal point of gross domestic product (GDP) growth here and a percentage point off unemployment rates there are supposed to make all the difference.
In 1992, Bill Clinton’s campaign mantra was “It’s the economy, stupid”. It still is. But the question today is: Whose economy? When you ask strugglers why they are angry at a time when the GDP is growing, they reply: “Maybe your GDP is growing, but mine isn’t.”
When you tell them that inflation has leveled off, they hit back: “Maybe your prices aren’t rising, but the ones I pay are through the roof!” To put it bluntly, it is entirely logical that, in our post-2008 world, the majority’s life prospects diminish amid glowing macroeconomic data.
Having overestimated their hegemony over their own populations, Western centrist elites proceeded to overestimate their power over external foes, Russia and China in particular. In both cases, the result of exercising this undeniably great power was precisely the opposite of what was intended.
In Russia’s case, the unprecedented Western sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine proved a godsend for president Vladimir Putin. His greatest weakness had been his limited authority over Russia’s oligarchs, who had been able to hedge their bets by keeping most of their loot in the West.
But the sanctions gave Putin the opportunity to force them to choose between Russia and the West, sweetening that ultimatum with the prospect of taking over the lucrative businesses (such as McDonald’s or IKEA) abandoned by Western corporations.
In addition, Russia’s war economy, cut off from Western supply chains, led to a massive re-industrialisation drive. That effort overcompensated for the severe loss of imported intermediate goods and the associated price hikes.
China’s resilience has been even more of a disappointment to Washington policymakers who believed that Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act, which banned anyone (not just Americans) from selling advanced semiconductors to Chinese companies, would decisively blunt China’s Big Tech firms and help the US win Cold War II.
Huawei, for example, deployed superior software to squeeze more computing power out of smaller microchips, while it and other domestic chipmakers played catch-up on the hardware side. Meanwhile, the flood of low-cost and technologically superior electric vehicles and green-energy equipment caught American and European authorities off guard.
Perhaps the greatest blow to the confidence of Western elites came after the imposition of sanctions, as they struggled to convince their populations that reshoring was happening and manufacturing was back.
Only then did it dawn on them that 30 years of domestic disinvestment, both in manufacturing and in their states’ ability to get things done, had left the West impotent. Wherever we look – whether the US, the UK, or the European Union – we find states lacking the expertise they once had to build things; from Britain’s railways and America’s nuclear submarine programme to green energy, public health, and much else.
The contrast with developments in Russia and China thus weigh heavily on Western policymakers, who for decades have been lured by corporate lobbyists and allied think tanks into depleting their states’ capacity to do what needs to be done. Whether this bitter realisation persuades them to jettison the three myths that have blinkered them for so long remains to be seen.
Yanis Varoufakis, a former finance minister of Greece, is leader of the Mera25 party and professor of economics at the University of Athens.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
kontraktor rumah
bina rumah
pinjaman lppsa
pengeluaran kwsp
spesifikasi rumah
rumah batu-bata
pelan rumah
rekabentuk rumah
bina rumah atas tanah sendiri
kontraktor rumah selangor
rumah banglo
Source
Kontraktor Bina Rumah IBS
LPPSA Kelayakan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Rumah Kontena Pinjaman LPPSA Rumah Pasang Siap Kontena Murah Rumah Kabin Buat Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Pinjamana Perumahan Kerajaan Loan LPPSA Untuk Beli Rumah Kelayakan LPPSA Rumah Kontena Pasang Siap Rumah Pasang Siap Malaysia Rumah IBS Malaysia Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Selangor LPPSA Loan Kontraktor Rumah Kontraktor Rumah IBS Kontraktor Rumah IBS Di Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Batang Kali Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Klang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di 16 Sierra, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Ampang Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Ara Damansara Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Balakong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Baru Bangi Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Baru Klang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Baru Selayang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Botanic Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Bukit Puchong 1, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Bukit Puchong 2, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Bukit Puchong, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Bukit Tinggi Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Country Homes Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar D’Alpinia, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Kinrara BK 1 Sehingga 6, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Mahkota Cheras Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Nusa Rhu Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Puchong Utama, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Puteri Puchong, Puchong Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Putra Permai Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Rasa Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Rinching Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Saujana Utama Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Seri Putra Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Sungai Buaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Sungai Long Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Sunway Semenyih Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Tasik Kesuma Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Teknologi Kajang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Teluk Datok Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar UtamaKontraktor Bina Rumah di Banting Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Batang Kali Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Batu 9 Cheras Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Batu Arang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bernam Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Antarabangsa Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Beruntung Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Gasing Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Komanwel Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Lanjan Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Raja Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit RimauKontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Sentosa Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Tagar Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bukit Tampoi Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Country Heights Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Damansara Damai Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Damansara Intan Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Damansara Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Damansara Perdana Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Damansara Utama Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Denai Alam Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Dengkil Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Dusun Tua Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Gombak SetiaKontraktor Bina Rumah di I-City Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kajang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kalumpang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kampung Jenderam Hilir Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kampung Kubu Gajah Dalam Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kelana Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kinrara Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Klang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kota Damansara Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kuala Kubu Bharu Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kuang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kwasa Damansara Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Lembah Beringin Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Mutiara Damansara Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Pandan Indah Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Pelabuhan Klang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Pinggiran Cyberjaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Puchong, Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Bandar Puteri Bangi Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Rawang, Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Sungai Rinching Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Sabak, Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Sekinchan Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Selayang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Semenyih Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Serendah Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Seri Kembangan Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Subang Bestari Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Subang Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Taman Tasik Semenyih Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Tanjung Sepat Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Teluk Datok Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Teluk Panglima Garang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Tropicana Kontraktor Bina Rumah di UEP Subang Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Ulu Yam Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Gombak Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Hulu Langat Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Hulu Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kuala Langat Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kuala Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Petaling Jaya Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Sabak Bernam Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Sepang Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Selangor Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kuala Lumpur Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Shah Alam Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Kapar Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Meru Kontraktor Bina Rumah di Puncak Alam Kontraktor Rumah Bina Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Pengeluaran Kwsp Spesifikasi Rumah Rumah IBS Pelan Rumah Rekabentuk Rumah Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kontraktor Rumah Selangor Rumah Banglo Kos Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Syarat Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri LPPSA Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kelantan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Sarawak Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kerajaan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Sabah Pinjaman Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kedah Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kelantan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Selangor Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kedah Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Johor Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Terengganu Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Perak Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Sarawak Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri MelakaBina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Negeri Sembilan Bantuan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kos Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Pinjaman Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Syarat Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri LPPSA Loan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Permohonan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Cara Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Skim Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri 2021 Pakej Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kelebihan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah SendiriBina Rumah Bawah 100k Kelantan Bina Rumah Sendiri Kos Bina Rumah 2022 Kos Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kelantan Pengalaman Buat Loan Untuk Bina Rumah Bina Rumah Murah Kontraktor Bina Rumah Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Bina Rumah Bajet 50k Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Selangor Bina Rumah Sendiri Tanpa Kontraktor Bina Rumah Bajet 30k Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kedah Bina Rumah Bajet 10k Bina Rumah Bajet 50k Selangor Bina Rumah SendiriBantuan Bina Rumah Atas Tanah SendiriKos Bina Rumah 2022Kos Bina Rumah 20×30 Pinjaman Bina Rumah Atas Tanah SendiriPengalaman Buat Loan Untuk Bina Rumah Kalkulator Bina Rumah Sendiri Pengeluaran Kwsp Untuk Bina Rumah Loan LPPSA Untuk Bina Rumah Kos Bina Rumah Bajet Kos Bina Rumah Kampung Bina Ayat Rumah Tangga Binatang Di Dinding Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Beli Tanah Pinjaman LPPSA Ubahsuai Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Beli Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Bina Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Untuk Beli Tanah Pinjaman LPPSA Untuk Bina Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Beli Tanah Pertanian Pinjaman LPPSA Jenis 5 Pinjaman LPPSA Atau Bank Semak Baki Pinjaman LPPSA Semakan Baki Pinjaman LPPSA Semak Baki Pinjaman LPPSA Sms Jenis Pinjaman LPPSA Syarat Pinjaman LPPSA Kelayakan Pinjaman LPPSA Jadual Kelayakan Pinjaman LPPSA Tuntutan Pindah Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Syarat Pinjaman LPPSA Bina Rumah Borang Tuntutan Pindah Rumah Pinjaman LPPSA Pinjaman Perumahan LPPSA Pinjaman Ubahsuai Rumah LPPSA Pinjaman Kedua LPPSA Pinjaman Kedua LPPSA Untuk Ubahsuai Rumah Pinjaman Perumahan LPPSA Vs Bank Pinjaman Bank Ke LPPSA Pinjaman Bersama LPPSA Pengiraan Kos Bina Rumah Sendiri Cara Jimat Buat Rumah Sendiri Bina Rumah Sendiri Tanpa Kontraktor Pengalaman Bina Rumah Sendiri Kos Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Sabah Pinjaman Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kerajaan Kos Bina Rumah 20×30 Kos Bina Rumah Paling Murah 2022 Harga Upah Tukang Rumah 2022 Kos Bina Rumah Kampung Kos Bina Rumah Bajet Anggaran Kos Bina Rumah 3 Bilik Kos Bina Rumah Atas Tanah Sendiri Kalkulator Bina Rumah Sendiri Rate Loan Rumah Kelayakan Loan Rumah Pinjaman Perumahan Public Bank Interest Bank Loan Rumah 2023 Interest Loan Rumah 2023 Berapa Lama Bank Proses Loan Rumah Cara Kira Interest Loan Rumah Bank Loan Rumah Terbaik Interest Bank Loan Rumah Public Bank Loan Rumah Affin Bank Loan Rumah Letter Offer Bank Loan Rumah Rhb Bank Loan Rumah Calculator Hong Leong Bank Loan Rumah Mbsb Bank Loan Rumah Rhb Bank Loan Rumah Cimb Bank Loan Rumah Agrobank Loan Rumah Bank Mana Senang Lulus Loan Rumah Bank Rakyat Loan Rumah Bank Islam Loan Rumah Bank Terbaik Untuk Loan Rumah Bank Call Untuk Pengesahan Loan Rumah Bank Muamalat Loan Rumah Bank Yang Mudah Lulus Loan Rumah Bank Akan Call Untuk Loan Rumah Bank Mbsb Loan Rumah Bank Islam Loan Rumah Contact Number LPPSA
