Globalism vs Sovereignty Seminar

Program Description

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When the Soviet Union collapsed in the late 1980s, prominent theorists declared “the End of History,” a moment when the world was inevitably converging toward market democracies. While this theory failed to pan out, another powerful force was shaping the world: globalization. The increasing interconnection across borders of goods, services, people, and ideas dramatically accelerated beginning in the 1990s and has profoundly shaped our world.

We live in a multi-nodal, high-speed, fluid, hyper-connected global economy. As such, the mantra of the past three decades has been more and more connectivity, building webs of trade agreements and supranational institutions that govern the global economy. The ever-widening European Union tangle of regulations and mandates on member countries is a good example of this growing web.

Globalization’s logic is intimately tied to markets: capital is in search of the highest returns and manufacturing searches for the cheapest labor. All of this comes with costs, and a backlash from both the left and right has spawned significant challenges to what has come to be called the globalist mindset. As economic or physical threats emerge, societies revert to a sovereign, self-protective mode, withdrawing to a nationalist mentality. This is the ebb and flow of human history, and it drives defense planning and operations.

Today there is an intensifying desire to assert or reassert sovereign control, and the evidence is everywhere. These movements are becoming a dominant feature of the world order, as are the movements geared to protecting the globalist view. The result, in many areas of the world, is a form of civil war, or polarization, which will continue to constrict unified national thinking.

This seminar will offer attendees—with a group of nationally recognized experts—the opportunity to question and address options as to how the United States, with the world’s most comprehensive military assets, can maneuver in a world where size, strength and wealth may in some respects be a significant handicap.

 

Suggested Seminar Topics

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• Globalism or Globalization or Sovereignty: Determining the Future U.S. Security and Dominance
• Will NATO, the EU, and Multinational Organizations Be Able to Adapt to the Changing Strategic Circumstances?
• Fear, Uncertainty, and the Collapse of Social Structures
• The Rise of City-States and Mega-City-States
• The Ongoing Cycles of Populations
• Identity Politics: The Polarization Between Urban and Rural Populations
• The Twenty-First Century—Are We Really Marching Toward a Global Civil War?
• Pandemics, European War, Chinese Competition, and Supply Disruptions
• The Continuing Clash Between Unilateral Action and Traditional Global Institutions
• Forget the Left and the Right: The New Dividing Line in Europe Between the Globalists and Nationalists
• Socialism versus Capitalism: Understanding Why Some Nations Collapse and Others Prosper
• Understanding China’s Escalating Challenge to the “Liberal” International Order
• Sovereignty and the Lifespans of Cultures and Civilizations
• The Russian Invasion: The Long-Term Impact on Refugees, Populism, and European Security
• The Continuing Polarization of Domestic Populations: Are National Governments the Solution or the Problem?

The above topics may change to address current events and interests of the participants at the time of the seminar.

Moderator

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The Program Moderator will have extensive experience conducting senior-level foreign policy seminars for the Intel Community. The Moderator will have first-hand knowledge and a detailed, up-to-date understanding of the region being studied in each seminar. In addition to the daily morning introduction and afternoon wrap-up, the Moderator will generally make a separate presentation and be available to provide additional presentations as needed. The Moderator will facilitate, when necessary, dialogue between the speakers and participants as well as lead the group discussions and Q&A sessions.

 

Fee

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The fee for each three-day Foreign Policy Seminar is $2,475 per person. The program will feature approximately 12-15 separate presentations. Also included are daily continental breakfasts and working luncheons. The seminar will be held in a private meeting room. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities.

 

Registration

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The target audience for these seminars are civilians (GS-15 and above) and military (O-6 and above). Others who have a special interest in the subject, need-to-know, or are in key positions may apply. Seminar space is limited to assure participants have ample time for open discussion with presenters. Upon registration, attendees will receive confirmation via email within five days. Cancellations will be accepted in writing up to two weeks prior to each program. After that time, substitutions will be accepted. The Agency will be billed if registration is cancelled after the deadline.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call the office at 703-684-8807.

 

Additional Information

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Reporting information will be sent to all participants approximately two weeks prior to the start of the program.

These programs are informal and strictly “off-the-record.” No video, PowerPoint or audio-visual aids are utilized in the presentations.