An unprecedented state of panic was caused by the rapid and horrifying spread of the new Coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Financial markets are in a state of total collapse, oil prices have dropped to historic lows and currencies have plummeted.
Consumption of most goods and services have dropped to zero percent. Statements by world leaders were rich with bold phrases, such as that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he said: “Prepare to say goodbye to your loved ones,” and Emmanuel Macron when he succinctly announced: “We are at war”, the Italian and Spanish Prime Ministers who described the situation as tragic and catastrophic, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said the situation is “very dangerous” and US President Donald Trump who is holding daily press conferences and writing tweets full of concern and fear blaming China.
A “business animosity” has been fueled with China for a very long time, with its human rights violations record against minorities and its suppression of freedom of press having been exposed several times. Today, however, China represents a strategic challenge to decision-making circles in the West. This manifested when the technological gap between them became apparent after the 5G revolution which China announced launching saying it was ready for it. No western company had a ready alternative and consequently responded to China with severe economic sanctions.
What is happening now is the “new normal”, setting the stage for new health and economic global system that is being prepared for by information and experiments. Like oil in the seventies, Data and scientific experiments are the new influential factors in economic power. Now there is new information, and there is an open struggle to dominate it. We are before scenes that look very much like those before the Second World War: economic recession, political blocs, and disturbed political circumstances. Back then, someone said: “What the world needs today is a new war”, believing that it would reorient the economy towards concentrated growth in the utilitarian production of raw materials that would secure employment and eliminate recession.
There is an ambiance for a “new war” on the horizon, as part of a proposed solution to combat COVID-19 and its economic and political implications. In recent electoral years, there was always a space for a “new war”.
The atmosphere is perfect for the production of wars and marketing their justifications. Many previous wars were started for unknown and unconvincing justifications that turned out to have economic, and consequently political benefits that were worth the cost.
All possibilities are open. It is surely a preparation for a new stage that is entirely different and includes a restructuring of what is present and is not only an accidental and mysterious viral pandemic. Only those aware of that will win and will invest properly.
