Welcome to Invisible Republic’s World section. The table below features iinks to the main sections, where you can find links to each place’s “children” (nations, states, etc.) and regions.
• Atlantic Ocean | PopUp
> Caribbean Sea | PopUp
• Indian Ocean | PopUp
• Arctic Ocean
• Southern Ocean
Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet’s population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war).
Welcome to Invisible Republic’s World section. Here you will find information about government and politics in the world’s nations, the fifty states and other jurisdictions.
All the major political sites associated with Invisible-Republic.org have similar World sections, though they tend to be a little more specialized. For example, Freedomware’s World section focuses primarily on computers, the Internet and “high-tech politics.”
Invisible-Republic.org’s World section—the one you’re perusing right now—is a more general reference that serves as a foundation for all these websites. Each nation (and many other political entities) is introduced with a short article from the CIA World Factbook (obviously, to be taken with a grain of salt). As time allows, I’ll contribute additional material and observations.
As I write this, there are several international trends to be aware of.
• Militarization—President George W. Dumbass deserves much of the credit for apparently sparking a new global arms race and possibly even rekindling the Cold War. In the meantime, the United States’ power may actually be diminishing, leaving the door open for the next military superpower, likely China.
• New Political Alliances—Corporations continue to exploit the world through organizations like the G-8, European Union and NATO. However, they are being challenged by new political blocs such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and an emerging socialist Latin America, led by Cuba, Venezuela and Brazil.
• Economic—Outsourcing and rapacious attacks by corporations and Congress have trashed America’s economy, dealing the middle class a crushing blow. Gross fiscal mismanagement by George W. Bush’s administration have further pushed the envelope. This, combined with growing hatred for America, have inspired several nations to cease pegging their currency to the dollar, a trend that will likely continue and perhaps accelerate.
• Environmental—The world’s environmental woes are increasing in diversity and severity. Global warming alone has emerged as an awesome force to reckon with, its legacy already including record storms, droughts and rising seas. Some authorities warn that future wars will be fought over diminishing water reserves.
• Peak Oil?—Widespread reports that global petroleum production has peaked or will do so in the near future have wreaked havoc as gas prices rise (even as oil company executives profit from price gouging). Oil is commonly seen as a major factor in George W. Bush’s administration’s decision to invade Iraq and Afghanistan, along with threats to similarly attack Iran.
• High-Tech—Here is to be found some rare good news, along with Latin America’s socialist revolution. At the least, the Microsoft monopoly isn’t getting the free ride it once did. On the contrary, Bill Gates is facing growing competition from Google, Apple and open source software.
• Social—Obviously, the mega-problems that are being ignored or exacerbated by Corporate America impact society in diverse ways. In general, tensions have increased around the world as people align themselves on the basis of race, nationality or religion. Most striking is what some see as a global war between Christians and Muslims. Taking a lead from George W. Bush, various governments have also become more authoritarian, a number of them lowering their standards as they embrace torture. In the United States, many workers feel a sense of helplessness as they watch their salaries and benefits further erode. Many college graduates feel as though they’ve lost the race even before they enter the workplace. Younger students are cruelly exploited and manipulated in increasingly privatized public schools. Perhaps no generation has been so heavily bombarded by propaganda. Though support for George W. Bush continues to decline, conservatives and liberals remain bitter enemies, their hatred fueled by corporate propaganda and manipulation. Around the world, hatred of the United States continues to grow as people remain outraged by American arrogance, greed and corruption. Some people direct their hatred at George W. Bush and corporations, but others have given up on Americans in general.
Though the prognosis might seem hopeless, some of the most inspirational leaders are emerging in other nations, from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to the passionate protesters who have rocked France, Italy, Germany and other nations in recent years. I hope you enjoy your tour of our rapidly changing world.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - Paperback
