Subverting Economies: The weakness of the Global South has nothing to do with market forces
The militarily powerful states have many tools at their disposal to coerce weaker states into complying with their rapacious demands. The UN estimates that some $2 trillion are transferred annually from the “Third World” to the West through unfair trade practices and interest on loans. Whenever a leader in a “Third-World” country attempts to implement policies to benefit his people, he is overthrown in a military coup and often assassinated. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria offer ready examples. Millions have been killed and tens of millions turned into refugees. After suffering decades of colonialism, most of these states do not have stable institutions and are easily manipulated.
The stability of a reserve currency is influenced by several factors
1. Economic Fundamentals
- Economic Size and Strength: A stable reserve currency typically belongs to a country with a large, robust economy that demonstrates consistent growth and low inflation.
- Monetary Policy: A credible and independent central bank that manages inflation and interest rates effectively contributes to currency stability.
- Fiscal Responsibility: A country with sound fiscal policies, low debt levels, and manageable deficits is more likely to have a stable currency.
2. Global Confidence and Trust
- Political Stability: Countries with stable governments, clear rule of law, and low levels of corruption are trusted more, which bolsters their currency’s stability.
- Financial Market Development: A well-developed, liquid, and transparent financial market enables global investors to confidently hold and trade the currency.
- Safe-Haven Status: The currency should be seen as a reliable store of value during economic uncertainty, which increases demand and stability.
3. Global Trade and Usage
- International Trade: A currency widely used in global trade (e.g., the U.S. dollar for oil transactions) supports its role as a reserve currency.
- Foreign Exchange Reserves: A significant portion of global foreign exchange reserves held in the currency indicates its widespread acceptance and stability.
- Global Lending and Investment: If a currency is frequently used for international loans, investments, and pricing of global assets, it enhances its stability as a reserve currency.
How To Move Away From The US Dollar?
The third and probably most important aspect to consider is that the dollar’s demise is a process, not an event, unless there is a cataclysmic event such as a world war involving nuclear weapons.
Thus, it can be reasonably argued that as US hegemony is eroded and a multipolar world order becomes a reality, the US dollar will not enjoy the same status as it did during the hay-days of US power projection. This is almost becoming a mainstream conclusion now.
While the general parameters regarding erosion in the dominance of the dollar are widely discussed, the specific mechanics of what needs to be done to disarm Washington from utilizing its currency as an economic weapon is rarely debated in depth or plain language.
Currency is supposed to be a medium of exchange to facilitate trade. If one currency becomes dominant as a medium of exchange, its popularity, usage, and strength grow because global demand for it increases. Therefore, for other currencies to begin to neutralize the weaponization of the US dollar, trade between regional countries using local currencies must become more widespread. This will automatically increase demand for non-dollar currencies. For trade to grow, participating entities must produce goods and services which trading parties need.
The US regime has set up a global financial system where international trade, which is an essential part of a modern economic system, cannot take place without some exposure to the US financial system. Ironically, it is this feature of US policies which is contributing to the long-term weakening of its currency. The overuse of sanctions and other economic warfare tools are motivating powerful economic players to look for ways to decrease dollar exposure.
America’s state institutions know that if mass scale trade between vital economic sectors shifts to other currencies, the dollar will be marginalized. Considering the US political and economic track record, it is not far-fetched to conclude that if a significant portion of mass scale businesses turn to other currencies to settle transactions, they will face the full brunt of the US financial system via its laws and regulations.
Thus, it will be difficult for vital industrial scale businesses of developing economies to openly ditch the dollar. They will face politically driven pressures which will render them economically non-competitive.
It is easier to operate an economic system beneath the American financial and economic radar via small- and medium-sized enterprises. The reason is that their scale is of little interest to the US corporate cyclopes. Also, there exists an entire grey economic zone in most developing countries which is beyond the control and sometimes even understanding of formal west-centric economic institutions. The governments of developing economies must assist these sectors to thrive.
There will always be some problems that will be difficult to overcome in the short-term. At times, even small- and medium-sized businesses will need to import some goods from abroad (especially technological components that are only produced in a few industrialized countries). This will, of necessity, force them to use the US dollar and, hence abide by US regulations and sanctions.
Ditching the US dollar is not just a currency related issue. De-dollarization should be approached as a multifaceted economic strategy. Currency policy, manufacturing, payment systems, economic treaties and logistics must be addressed as a package. Simply refusing to pay or accept US dollars is not a strategic solution. The example of how quickly Turkiye buckled under US pressure and eliminated Russia’s Mir payment system is a good example of this. An economic ecosystem must be created where use of the US dollar is organically disincentivized via natural market mechanisms.
The vast majority of people in the world are poor and most have probably never even held a dollar in their hands. Their lives should not depend on a currency which has minimal direct relevance to their daily transactions.
Governments in developing countries must create an economic system detached from the US dollar, and soon. It is not to suggest that the dollar or the American people are inherently evil. The fact is that the US’s weaponization of its currency makes countries using the dollar vulnerable to Washington’s economic warfare which causes massive collateral damage.
Impact of boycott on pro-Israeli businesses
Muslims who have been for Hajj or Umrah will confirm that as soon as they exit the Haram (al-Masjid al-Haram), they are confronted by the sun-goddess idol figure of Starbucks.
Islam came to wipe out such symbols but the Saudi jahilshave brought them back right to the doorsteps of the two sacred Harams in Makkah and al-Madinah.
It also needs pointing out that McDonald’s burgers and french fries are extremely unhealthy.
Studies have shown that their regular consumption causes high blood pressure, diabetes as well as hypertension.
Not surprisingly, most people in America suffer from obesity because they consume too many greasy McDonald’s burgers.
Obesity also causes more than 300,000 deaths each year, far surpassing deaths from smoking.
The question arises, why do Muslim countries allow such outlets to sell unhealthy food to their citizens that result in major health problems and are a burden on the healthcare system?
Further, the meat that McDonald’s uses in its burgers is not halaal.
What the boycott of McDonald’s and Starbucks in Muslim countries shows is that if Muslims take a united stand, they can cause significant losses to American brands that are backing zionist crimes against the Palestinians.
The weaponization of the dollar though sanctions
- The weaponization of the Dollar, through sanctions has devastating effects on global economies.
- BRICS and Chinese consumption has provided alternatives to circumvent US Sanctions.
The global financial system
Earning to support your life, family and lifestyle
- We spend most of our lives learning to earn.
- Being smart does not guarantee wealth. There are many poor brilliant people.
- Money gives you satisfaction, not happiness.
- The money and comforts of this world is insignificant. Earn money and comforts, but don’t be attached to it.
Earning to contribute
- Why am I alive? What is the effect of your existence? What are you contributing?
- Get up. What can I do for Allah’s world? Allah’s world need’s me.
- Spend 4 hours working, spend 4 hours planning to make the community better.
- You will retire on the day you die.
- Individual Level
- Economic Jihad: For those who cannot reach the battlefield
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“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills”
(2:261) - Probably the most important contribution the Muslims of the West could do for Jihad is making Jihad with their wealth since in many cases the mujahideen are in need of money more than they are in need of men.
- Fundraising for the mujahideen
- Financing a Mujahid
- Taking care of the family of a Mujahid
- Sponsoring the family of a shaheed
- Sponsoring the families of the prisoners of war
- Paying your zakah to the mujahideen
- Contributing to the medical needs of the mujahideen
- Freeing the prisoners
- Boycotting the economy of the enemy
- The Natural System (The mundane means)
- Allah made all things created in the heaven and earth to be of service to him. (The Qur’an, 45:13; 17:70).
- Idea to
- Idea
- Thought
- Word (Tangible)
- Ideology / Philosophy
- Action
- Way of Life
- Change your mind, you have to renew your ideas.
- You have to go back to where it all started
- You cannot fight a thought or idea. You have to replace it with another thought.
- Fill your head with thoughts of God, so everything that comes out will be pure.
- Get busy with the Quran.
- Don’t park it on the shelf.
- Grab it, read it.
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“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”