Multipolaristas, Camp 2 and Alternative Media
The global media presents a confusing mess. Surely it's never been this bad? Watching and listening to multiple perspectives sometimes helps, but sometimes it makes things even worse. We've learned how headlines like this one yesterday in Reuters: 'Cracks emerge in Iran's leadership as it reels under bombardment' probably means the exact opposite, for example....
BUT...
Adding to our confusion, some 'dissidents' claim that the latest development is 'good news for BRICS', emphasising the long-overdue shifting of power structures away from the US and towards other countries, like China and Russia.
The Potential Risks from Multiplorarity
But there are dangers to this multipolarity viewpoint too. Just a cursory glance at the BRICs members website gives you a clue...
The promoters of the multipolarity view are conspicuous in what David A Hughes has suggests are 'Camp 2' in the Omniwar. Perhaps the obvious ones are pseudo-dissidents with millions of followers like Tucker Carlson or Joe Rogan -who might appear to call out the 'safe and effective' but conveniently divert their listeners' attention away from proactively changing the status quo.
These protagonists present what their audiences seem to want to hear - something counter-narrative ('Western countries are all corrupt') - with a false binary ('therefore everything we've been told about China/Russia is a lie'). Sounds attractive, but sadly, life isn't that simple! As usual, this tactic relies on something the Behavioural Science, Nudge Unit has used against us successfully over and again - all we want is a saviour. As I summarised in this article about the psychology in the MINDSPACE report:
Ursula Edgington
So I was new to this - what exactly IS this 'Multipolarity'? According to the 2015 edition of the International Encyclopaedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, the concept of ‘multipolarity’ is described as follows:
“…a system of three or more powers […]. Changes in the distribution of power constitute major break points in history and determine the structure of the international system.” [source]
Although this is helpful in some geopolitical analyses, understandably, we need to tread carefully - just because there are major changes in global power, doesn't necessarily mean that those changes are positive. Many researchers - much more familiar with these complex terms than me - are aware of these dangers. And as Geopolitics & Empire recently pointed out: 'There are no good guys, they're ALL mafias' (2 mins clip):
Ursula Edgington
It's interesting to observe how, as these 'Multipolaristas' gain significant ground in recognition, some ‘alternative media’ content has assumed a distinctly pro-Russian and/or pro-Chinese flavour over the past year. For instance, James Delingpole, between his repeated claims on his podcast that he has been 'cancelled and deplatformed' from his legacy media career, published an opinion piece a few months ago after his 'amazing' visit to Moscow, entitled "Believe it or not, Russia is Great" in (where else?) his mate "Tobes'" conservative outlet The Spectator:
You’re not going to believe me, obviously, but the streets are clean and safe, with no danger of London-style stabbings or mobile-phone jackings; public transport works [...]; there are covered markets selling delicious organic produce (from raw milk to fresh fish, pomegranates to wild mushrooms); the people are reserved but polite, thoughtful and often deeply cultured; and, judging by the bustle in the many excellent restaurants [...] the shape of the economy isn’t half as bad as we’ve been led to believe. [archived]
Perhaps this piece is no surprise, given his background, but can his audience see through this - it's a different kind of propaganda.
Then there's Carl Zha from Silk & Steel podcast who apparently was not in China during the covid era, yet repeatedly attempts to downplay the negatives of everyday life in a Chinese city, and applauds the benefits. For instance here he promotes the 'convenience' of Chinese 15-minute cities ….
“you don’t need to leave the compound, you have everything you need right there…!” (5 min clip):
Living in New Zealand for the past thirteen years has provided plenty of insight into the realities of China without visiting China. Not least the numbers of families who are desperate to stay here! Let me point out three examples that I have written about:
For one thing, our broken universities with dumbed-down curricula and extortionate fees provide a legitimate pathway for many Chinese people to gain that coveted Kiwi Residents' Visa (for a large NZ Government/agency fee, you understand).
And it's not just the increase in poor-quality housing that the population growth has led to. I've also researched the other ways that China has negatively impacted our environment. For instance, through the lethal, without-antidote 1080 poison that is aerially spread throughout NZ's forests, waterways and agricultural land. The toxic chemical is now made in China.
And in terms of the BigTech we use everyday, it was shocking to read Prof Siddarth Kara's book about slave labour and exploitation evidenced in the mining of valuable resources like cobalt in Africa. It is China who controls the areas in and around the mines.
To summarise my point about the negative consequences of promoting BRICs as some kind of 'solution' to the mess the world is in right now, here's just two quotes from its website:
A fundamental pillar of sustainable human and social development, health cooperation between the BRICS countries will prioritize the promotion of equity in health, especially in access to treatment, diagnosis and vaccination - and in the development of emerging health technologies.
&
In the context of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, the Brazilian presidency of BRICS will endeavor to promote debates that contribute to the participation of BRICS countries in COP30, especially with regard to climate finance. We will develop initiatives against the backdrop of the pressing need to intensify global efforts to contain global warming to the critical limit of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
[source]
Yes, in summary, BRICs is more of the same. Go this route and a NWO awaits us.
What can we do about this troubling development?
Our most precious commodity is our time. There are many (and growing) podcasters competing for our listening hours and begging for our dollars either directly or via sponsorship 'discounts'. Are these presenters being authentic? Do they really deserve our time and support?
When one of the 'alternative' media platforms I trusted and financially supported started unashamedly promoting pro-Chinese propaganda, I asked them for details of their overseas shareholder and income. Unfortunately, the response I received was unpleasant. So, I cancelled my subscription. It isn't easy, but we all need to be on our guard against this kind of infiltration - whether it's 'Multipolaristas' or another type of propaganda.
Trust your instincts - ask questions of any news media or content creator if changes are problematic. If we don't get honest answers to our reasonable questions, then "I'm Out" as they said on the Dragon's Den!
Ursula Edgington