The Empire that Ate Itself
Mark Carney’s Davos speech, to me, was the final stamp of validity of the rumour swirling across the globe: the star-bangled empire is in its decline.
The speech was well written and shocking to hear, as someone who grew up in Canada. There are some things in the west that are understood, but never said. America is an empire, a violent hegemony, that inserts itself into power through illegal invasions, coups, and endless wars. This truth can be discussed in group chats, coffee shops, meme page comments, and the occasional academic environment (with limitations). But in one’s real life, in one’s professional life, there is a layer of collective dissonance, fueled by self preservation, “professionalism” and propaganda, it is considered gauche to describe the empire in such a way. If you are aware of this reality, you are told, “be smart about it”, so we fall in line. Instead, these descriptions of the empire are reserved for the other: the global south. In the west, America is akin the young boy protagonist: brave, cheeky, but has a heart of gold.
For the Canadian Prime Minister to acknowledge the empire’s violence on an international stage, calling for international leaders to reconsider obliging to their demands, indicates that the sun is setting on this unipolar era. Though one would be foolish to believe it has altruistic intentions(nor is Canada acquitted in participating in the same crimes), it is a very strong indication that a new era is emerging.
Is there a lesson in this?
Through its reign, the empire has spent a tremendous amount of time and money manufacturing consent and demonizing the global south through several tactics. In its decline, these same tactics has seemed to be absorbed by its own self, aiding in the fragmentation of the social fabric. Each end of the American political spectrum has absorbed different elements, looking at those on the opposite end of the aisle in disgust, not realizing they are two arms of the same beast. Millions of dollars were spent dehumanization of West Asia. The same society that brushed past thousands of deaths in Iraq, now barely are moved when their own children are killed in school shootings. The purity culture that was established to frame the destruction of the global south as a moral obligation, is the same purity culture that is causing social disruption, weaponized to exile each other from political careers and social platforms. Radicalizing mentally vulnerable individuals to carry out violent acts, now run rampant in their own nation.
On one hand seeing all the internal chaos feels vindicating for those who have died in the name of imperialism. But on the other hand, I am aware of the hold this empire has on the world. And it’s corpse will bleed everywhere. So it is not something to celebrate, but observe.
What will the post-unipolar world look like? I don’t know, but to me, this is a cautionary tale: Capitalism without an additional framework is cannibalism. It cannot exist as a primary or standalone system. Even in the abundance of power and wealth, there is no satiation. When there is nothing left to absorb, it turns onto itself. Self preservation is a myth.
I wanna be on 106 & Park pushing a benz
There is an individual responsibility to reflect on our morals, values, and actions to see our contribution to the current status quo. Individual sacrifices are necessary for system change, but how much are you personally willing to give up? There is a spectrum, where you want to reside on it is a question everyone has to sit with. But apathy cannot be an option- it is immoral.
I’ll tell you about myself: I am still deciding how far down I sit. I am an artist. I like nice things. I fantasize about my work on a massive scale. I love the art we see in high fashion. I love the magic of big cities. I want to see what the world is about, all parts of it. I think there is a part of me that craves an experience. But to dismiss the truth is something I can’t do. This may seem contradictory, hypocritical even, but that’s where I am right now. Maybe there is more inner work I have to do.
What are your thoughts?
