hebel. today · 3 November 202640 / 68
World · Geopolitics
Global power blocs force a new strategic reality
Three power centers now define global affairs: the United States, the European Union, and Communist China. The European Union promotes a supranational regulatory order, while Communist China demands an authoritarian hierarchy centered on its…
From 5 newsletters · 1 min read · one thing to try
Three power centers now define global affairs: the United States, the European Union, and Communist China (Tierney's Real News). The European Union promotes a supranational regulatory order, while Communist China demands an authoritarian hierarchy centered on its own party-state. The United States maintains the largest economy and military, yet faces pressure from both blocs to abandon its model of sovereign nation-states. This competition represents a structural struggle over whether the world adopts a centralized regulatory order or preserves independent national control.
“It is entirely possible to imagine 450 million Chinese people flourishing in a dynamic economy dominated by tech and manufacturing, while the other 950 million get by at a much lower standard of living.”
The Monthly Barometer
Regional conflicts increasingly reflect these systemic shifts as established rules lose their force (Ordering the Disorder). Russia exploits political openings to militarize trade routes, sinking vessels in the Black Sea and driving up global grain prices (phase:shift, phase:shift). These attacks force importers in Egypt, Bangladesh, and Indonesia to pay premiums of up to 35% for alternative supplies. Meanwhile, the United States faces $47.1 billion in costs from the Iran war, affecting domestic approval ratings before the midterm elections (10 Things Global News).
Try today · 20 min
Map your local dependency on the three power blocs.
List your essential goods and services, then identify which of the three blocs controls their production or regulation.
You need
- Notebook or spreadsheet
- List of your top 5 monthly expenses
- List of your top 5 digital services
Steps
- Identify the origin of your primary energy source.
- Check the manufacturing base of your most used hardware.
- Determine if your software services are subject to EU, US, or Chinese regulations.
- Write down which bloc holds the most leverage over your daily operations.
- Note one alternative source for each high-dependency item.