One of the finest pieces of advice I was ever given when reviewing news items in international politics (or anything actually) was to ask the question ‘Who benefits?’ The result of this simple question leads directly onto the question ‘Who benefits from me believing this?’ and from there to a host of questions. It is important to note that no one can hide outcomes nor needs, they are obvious, so it becomes possible to put the world together outside of TV, newspaper and internet reports, for oneself.
Suddenly who the people involved are, where they come from, what their views are, who they work for and with, all become important. Suddenly the ways in which events can be discussed widens away from the reported facts to how human beings work. And this is where the conspiracy theorist often go wrong. Because like other human beings they look for ‘one’ other reason, for a cabal or international network of associates all aiming for the same thing.
Humans are not like that. The role of individuals in International politics and business is to rub up against each other. Jockeying for position and yes that may mean a few people work together, having been to the same schools or married into families, but for the most part these groupings are small and fight each other and use each other as needs must.
The idea that there is one ‘society’ that manipulates it all is hilarious but the idea that we are not manipulated is insupportable.