19 hours ago
- The belief before WWI that a European war was economically impossible was wrong because political leaders like the Tsar and Kaiser, not the rich, made the decision to go to war.
- Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the argument that oligarchs would prevent Putin from invading due to economic self-interest was proven false; Putin acted independently, and oligarchs lost assets, showing their lack of political power.
- Vulgar materialism, a common worldview, erroneously explains events through money and corporate interests, ignoring the influence of ideology, nationalism, and state power.
- The 'cui bono?' question is flawed because someone always benefits from any event, and benefiting from relieving harm (e.g., vaccines) is not inherently wrong, while corporations often lack the ability to perpetuate harm.
- Money does not guarantee control over the state; for example, the FDA can reject Pfizer's billion-dollar investments, and tech billionaires do not run San Francisco, as state violence and sovereignty remain superior to corporate power.