What we do and why we do it

Wonder, Wisdom, and the Erosion of Reason post-COVID-19:  Two lamps, but One Path.

In the era of democratic backsliding, the appeal of authoritarian rule, and the retrenchment of superpowers into geopolitical tension in capitalist-democratic settings, questions abound on the fragility of Democracy.  Two voices may help shed the much-needed light to reformulate the policies required. 

Post-pandemic economic, social, political, and health ramifications are still being felt in society; however, it is unclear if leaders have learned lessons regarding government preparedness and eco-sustainable practices, which might reduce the probability of humans contracting another zoonotic disease of planetary effect. Chances of going through another pandemic remain high if humans continue destroying the habitats of animals which are reservoirs of viruses, or if we continue interacting near them. As part and parcel of the pandemic effects, there are the economic effects from the disruption in the GSC due to prolonged lockdowns and the failed Zero-Covid policy in China, which have not contributed to repairing the geopolitical tensions brought up by the Sino-American rivalry under the Trump administration and its continued de-coupling under the Biden administration. This peer competition between China and the USA has intensified, especially in technological advances and their uses; this de-coupling is occurring due to two competing visions over tech innovations and their different uses and values attached: whether technology is for high espionage, surveillance, or sensitive data theft remain key core issues dividing leaders. America has devised a new strategy of off-shoring, on-shoring, and/or friend-shoring (enticing American or Western companies to prefer like-minded states' soil to produce at a large scale). Biden has also launched the "Buy American" initiative to create rules to boost local product sales.