Legitimacy rising or falling
What others seem to be saying
The second day of the St. Petersburg World Affairs Council has been similarly fabulous. I have learned a lot from the detailed presentations on monarchies in the future, how the world views us, what is going on in the Sahel, where in the Middle East going, and now a western hemisphere panel.
People are hungry for learning about the world. An International Baccalaureate group from a local high school spent the better part of this morning hearing about the changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Many couples are here together. They stay all day—unheard of in my neck of the woods around the Beltway where everyone is too busy.
They eagerly as countless questions, in person and online. The questions have been superb, including the student submissions. What influence does China have over North Korea or is it North Korea over Beijing? What is the future of Iran in the Middle Eastern dynamic? And on they go.
The word underpinning all of this is the legitimacy. That included within Britain. A Republican advocate in the United Kingdom advocated the end of the monarchy because it is not a legitimate system (I know at least one reader in Scotland having an aneurysm as I type). But, the question is an important one because the problems of the world often result from doubts about so many regimes’ legitimate rule.
Additionally, the speakers repeatedly highlighted the undeniable rise in authoritarianism around the world, along with the preferences for Washington to no longer hold any high ground on that question. Democracy limits people’s activities ringing them personal power. But, speakers repeatedly cautioned the audience that these desires to implement authoritarian rule is real and growing. This is happening regardless of our efforts to discuss values, goals, or rights.
Just letting you know the topics that were riveting this meeting during the past two days. What would you have raised? Why? What would you see as a panel most useful for conversations with those craving foreign policy conversation?
i close today reminding all that it is a nasty world where autocracy confronts democracy. People in too many parts of the world are looking to China as the model these days rather than us, to our disappointment as they rethink the future. Wonder if that is because our system seems irreparably broken of late? People do seem to pay attention to our flailing, even if we hope it not true.
Be well and be safe. FIN