Populism is the new black - and it's bloody dangerous Mr Peters!

In an age of unprecedented connectivity and globalization, we should expect our world to be moving towards greater unity and understanding, yes?
After 160,000 years of meandering our planet, I feel it reasonable to expect our human civilisation to have evolved to a point beyond bullying and fighting.   
From stone age caves, iron age crannogs and middle age plague filled shacks, to our cozy holocene wifi complete abodes of the 21st century, we should have worked out what an effective and fair society looks like, right?
Sadly, our reality is starkly and increasingly challenging.

Instead of breaking down barriers, instead of improving communities and econimic growth through social inclusion, our societies are becoming increasingly siloed. 
Nationalism is on the rise, selfishness and greed has centre stage, crippling wealth innequality is in full spate, failing infrastucture crumbles before our eyes and while our planet's atmostphere chokes on our polution, ethnic or identity minorities face unprecedented vilification, attacks, and repressive legislation.

Nowhere are these threats to our world more apparent than in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a conflict that has the scary potential to escalate into a wider conflagration with devastating consequences for Europe and beyond. What began as a territorial dispute and arguments around the protection of cultures, has morphed into a full-blown war, fueled by narcissism, nationalist fervor and geopolitical maneuvering.
And, a mere stones throw to the south east, Israel, a country created by arguably the most persecuted people on earth, has elected the mass murder of innocents, persecution and ethnic clensing as the most progressive, modernist solution to a 2000 year old conflict.  

At the heart it seems, lies a toxic brew of nationalism, populism, and selfishness. Leaders like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have exploited fear and division for their own political gain, fanning the flames of nationalism and demonizing minorities in the process. In Russia, Putin's authoritarian rule has seen dissent crushed, opposition silenced and minorities targeted for persecution. Meanwhile, in the United States, Trump's brand of populist rhetoric has emboldened white supremacists and xenophobes, leading to a surge in hate crimes and violence directed toward marginalized communities.

These evil characters are however not the cause. They are symptomatic of deeper societal issues, rooted in our late-stage neoliberal capitalist system that prioritizes profit over people.
Crippling and increasing wealth inequality, societal marginalization, and the soaring cost of living have left millions struggling to make ends meet, while a wealthy elite continue to amass ever greater fortunes.
Populist leaders the world over have grown adept at shifting focus from the deeply unjust nature of our economic reality by emboldening divsion, enabling hate and manufacturing villans for a blame hungry audience. As people are provided scapegoats for their economic woes with soundbites and dog whistle politics, ethnic and identity minorities become convenient targets.

However, there is hope on the horizon. The solution lies in building diverse societies that celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures and social identities that make up our global community. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding, we can break down the barriers that divide us and create a more collaborative and harmonious world.
The starting point however, lies with addressing the root causes of inequality and marginalization. Sensible taxation policies can ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share, while investing in infrastructure and secure, well-paid jobs can provide opportunities for all.
Fairness and equity must be at the heart of our economic system, with policies that prioritise the needs of ordinary people over the interests of a wealthy elite.

Moreover, we must reject the politics of fear and division, and instead embrace empathy, compassion, and solidarity. We must stand up against hate and discrimination wherever we encounter it, and work together to build a world where everyone is valued and respected.

Ultimately, it is not too late for humanity to change. But, we have some serious challenges before us.
Recently, a Harvard Business Review editoral titled 'Stop Making the Case for Diversity' argued, spoiler alert, that the celebration of diverse cultures as a prerequisite for a healthy society has been made and proven time and again. We no longer need evidence, we need action. What's stopping us? 

Social blindness, or to bore you with the big name, Heterogenous Anti-Social theory (HAS), is the biggest enemy faced by our world.
Essentially, HAS argues when we are not impacted by an issue, an injustice, persecution or wealth innequality, we are far less likely to see it and accept it as reality. Or secondly, in the case where we do understand the challenges faced by areas of society, but we don't perceive ourselves to be impacted, we are less likely to seek to effect change. 
To put this into context and to provide a little gravitas, HAS allowed Hilter to gain power in the 1930s.  To localise it a little more, HAS allowed Winston Peters and David Seymour into power in Aotearoa.

So theory aside, it is not too late to change. But to do so, we must put people and long-term societal betterment before short-term gain and shareholder profit. We must reject the false promises of nationalism and populism, and instead strive towards a future where collaboration and cooperation triumph over division and conflict. Only then can we truly fulfill the promise of a diverse and inclusive society for generations to come.

Ghandi famously said "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization". 

Nuff said. 

Thanks for reading. 

Slainte,

Gordy