Milei’s Argentina: Free markets, high stakes, and a bold gamble



During my visits to Argentina in 2022, 2023, and 2024, I saw firsthand the movement that propelled anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei to the presidency. His leadership has drawn significant attention from both left-wing anti-capitalists and libertarians. Some critics argue that his policies are deepening poverty, while his supporters view him as a beacon of hope.

Argentina holds a grim distinction. No other country has experienced such a dramatic economic decline over the past century. In the early 20th century, Argentina’s per capita income ranked among the highest in the world. The phrase riche comme un Argentin — “rich as an Argentine” — was commonly used at the time.

What can Argentina’s experience teach us? Economic conditions often must deteriorate dramatically before capitalist reformers can gain traction.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Argentina’s per capita income surpassed that of Italy, Japan, and France. By 1895, some estimates ranked it as the highest in the world. The country also recorded an extraordinary 6% annual GDP growth for the 43 years leading up to World War I — the largest sustained growth in recorded history.

Argentina’s economic success was not solely driven by raw material exports. Between 1900 and 1914, the country’s industrial production tripled, achieving growth comparable to Germany and Japan. This boom coincided with remarkable social progress. In 1869, only 12% to 15% of the workforce belonged to the middle class. By 1914, that figure had climbed to 40%. During the same period, the illiteracy rate dropped by more than half.

However, Argentina’s success story gave way to a century of unprecedented decline. The country’s real GDP per capita in 2018 had barely risen from its 1913 level — the lowest growth among all nations with available data for both years.

From Peronism to deregulation

During my visit, I met Fausto Spotorno, chief economist at the Centro de Estudios Económicos at consultancy firm OJF. He shared a striking statistic: Since 1945, Argentina has almost continuously faced double-digit inflation, with one major exception. In the 1990s, President Carlos Menem pegged the currency to the U.S. dollar, eliminating inflation for a decade. However, the move made Argentine goods uncompetitive, severely hurting exports.

For decades, Argentina remained deeply committed to statism. Peronism, a government-centered ideology, functioned as the country’s national religion. But by 2022, I could already sense a shift in public sentiment.

I traveled to several cities, including Corrientes, a place that reminded me of Southern France with its palm trees and proximity to one of the world’s largest rivers. There, I met Eduardo Tassano, the city’s mayor. Though he identified as a social democrat, he surprised me when asked what he would change about Argentina. Without hesitation, he called for labor market deregulation and tax cuts — clear signs that libertarian ideas were gaining traction.

When my survey on perceptions of the market economy was conducted in 2022, the results showed a major shift in public sentiment. More than a year before Milei’s election victory, a majority of Argentines viewed the market economy more favorably than people in most other countries.

That same year, I met several key politicians from Milei’s movement. Their innovative marketing strategies stood out. Milei gained widespread attention by launching a lottery: Anyone who registered via social media had a chance to win his final month’s congressional salary. The payout — 350,000 pesos, or about $1,800 in May 2022 — was significant, considering Argentina’s average income was around 60,000 pesos.

The idea resonated. Within three months, two million Argentines signed up for the lottery. Milei wanted to send a clear message: “I didn’t go into politics for the money.”

Skepticism turns to confidence

I returned to Argentina immediately after Milei’s election. When I arrived on Nov. 19, 2023, I found two WhatsApp messages waiting on my phone.

“We won,” a representative of Milei’s party wrote. For the past year and a half, I had often discussed Milei’s rise and believed he had a strong chance of winning.

The second message came from José Fucs, editor at large of O Estado de S. Paulo, Brazil’s leading newspaper. “You were the first one to tell me he had huge support in Argentina, mainly among younger people, and could win the election,” he wrote.

I wondered whether Argentines would continue supporting Milei, even if his free market reforms initially worsened conditions. Historically, other successful capitalist reforms — such as those under Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom and Leszek Balcerowicz in Poland — caused short-term economic pain before delivering long-term gains. Would the people have the patience and resilience to endure this lean period?

By August 2024, I returned to Argentina for the third time. Public sentiment remained pro-Milei, with polls showing that more than 50% of the population supported him.

In Córdoba, Argentina’s second-largest city, I spoke at length with Mayor Alfredo Cornejo. A member of the Radical Party, he initially doubted Milei’s approach. But he told me his skepticism had turned into confidence. In his view, Argentina was now moving in the right direction.

A bracing dose of liberty

In Buenos Aires, I met Agustin Etchebarne, general director of the libertarian think tank Libertad y Progreso. He noted that Milei continued to enjoy strong support from young people and the poor — his core voting bloc.

“If they criticize him at all,” Etchebarne explained, “it’s only because they believe he isn’t being radical enough. They want him to take even tougher action against the despised Casta that brought the country to ruin.”

When Milei took office, Argentina’s inflation rate stood at nearly 26% per month. Now, it has fallen to 2.3%. The poverty rate initially increased, as I expected, but by the end of 2024, it had dropped below its pre-Milei level.

One of Milei’s most significant reforms involved bypassing intermediaries. Instead of funneling funds through left-leaning political organizations that claimed to support the poor but siphoned off money, his government now allocates aid directly to those in need.

“Milei gives the money directly to the poor, while the left-wing organizations are left empty-handed,” Etchebarne told me.

This marks a key difference between Milei and former conservative President Mauricio Macri. Macri unintentionally strengthened his left-wing opponents by distributing massive cash payments during his administration. By eliminating those intermediaries, Milei has ensured that Argentina’s poorest citizens receive more direct assistance than before.

What can Argentina’s experience teach us? Similar to the United Kingdom in the 1970s, economic conditions often must deteriorate dramatically before capitalist reformers like Thatcher or Milei can gain traction. But even that is not enough. A shift in public opinion must precede meaningful reform.

Before Thatcher’s rise, influential think tanks such as the Adam Smith Institute and the Institute for Economic Affairs helped shape public discourse. In Argentina, libertarian think tanks played a similar role in laying the groundwork for Milei’s presidency. Now, he is reaping the benefits of their efforts.

Editor’s note: This article is an excerpt from Rainer Zitelmann’s new book, “The Origins of Poverty and Wealth: My World Tour and Insights from the Global Libertarian Movement.”

Trump, Milei, and Orbán lead a conservative resurgence worldwide



Over the past several years, global political ideologies have shifted dramatically from left to right. Across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, nations that once embraced progressive policies have experienced a surge in right-leaning populism and conservative movements.

Liberal politicians aligned with the Davos-driven global agenda are being replaced by nationalists putting their countries first. Leaders like Javier Milei in Argentina, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Donald Trump in the United States have transformed the political landscape, leaving traditional elites scrambling.

The current shift to the right has ushered in Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. A successful Trump presidency could sustain this momentum for decades to come.

This trend continues. Governments in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom face mounting pressure from right-leaning factions. In the United States, even liberal figures like New York Mayor Eric Adams are echoing Donald Trump’s rhetoric, while progressive prosecutors, such as San Francisco’s Chesa Boudin, backed by George Soros, have been voted out of office.

This shift reflects more than political realignment. It signals a broader societal transformation driven by economic instability, cultural upheaval, unchecked immigration, and the political fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The failed Biden administration serves as a clear example of the transformation underway.

Economic instability

The fiscal and monetary policies of the Biden administration led to the highest inflation rate in decades, going from 1.4% when Joe Biden took office in January 2021 to a peak of 9.1% in June 2022. On average, prices were up approximately 20% during the Biden presidency. People could not afford to put gas in their cars, fill their grocery carts, or make their mortgage payments. Americans’ credit card debt reached record levels, topping $1.1 billion in February 2024.

The Biden administration’s answer was to tell the American people that inflation was transitory and that Americans had it better than the rest of the world. Not much help to a single mother trying to afford to feed her children and pay the rent.

Trump understood this and promised to return America to the economic success it realized during his first term as president. Vowing to Make America Great Again ... again.

Social and cultural upheaval

During the Biden administration, the United States experienced a cultural transformation as private companies and government agencies put diversity, equity, and inclusion over profits and efficiency.

Controversial decisions, such as using a transgender influencer as a spokesperson for Bud Light and Target’s introduction of “tuck-friendly” swimsuits for transgender teens, led to consumer backlash, boycotts, and significant revenue losses.

The White House hosted Pride Month celebrations, where some transgender attendees paraded topless. The administration also flew the transgender flag at the White House and U.S. embassies around the globe and supported policies allowing biological men to compete against biological women in sports.

Working Americans perceived these moves as a threat to traditional values and their children’s well-being. With a struggling economy, many found it difficult to support a president who, in their view, prioritized cultural debates, like access to bathrooms, over addressing pressing financial issues.

Trump capitalized on this discontent, opposing policies that allowed men to compete against women in sports, keeping boys out of girls’ bathrooms, and emphasizing unity by celebrating all Americans rather than dividing them into groups. As the newly elected president, Trump has gone further, declaring it U.S. policy to recognize only two sexes. He also mandated that only the American flag be flown at government buildings, embassies, military bases, and on government websites.

Illegal immigration

Trump made immigration and building the wall a central focus of his first presidential run. Then, Biden made a joke out of the nation’s borders by allowing unchecked illegal immigration and forbidding organizations such as ICE from deporting those illegal aliens who committed violent crimes.

An estimated 10 million people — at minimum — entered the country illegally since January 2021. Violent crimes committed by illegal aliens became a central part of the 2024 election, partly due to the brutal murder of nursing student Laken Riley at the hands of a Venezuelan national in the country unlawfully.

Trump promised the most massive deportation effort in American history of those in the country illegally. It resonated, especially with legal immigrants, with Trump winning a record number of Hispanic votes.

The COVID response

The response to COVID-19 underscored the stark divide between left-leaning and conservative leadership. Democratic governors in states like New York, Michigan, Illinois, and California imposed strict lockdowns, confining residents to their homes and forcing businesses to close. Meanwhile, Republican governors in states like Texas and Florida kept their economies open, allowing their states to thrive.

President Biden mandated that military personnel receive the experimental COVID-19 vaccine and attempted to use OSHA to enforce a nationwide vaccine requirement for workers. The Supreme Court ultimately struck down the mandate. In contrast, Donald Trump opposed such mandates, a stance that resonated with many Americans who rejected forced vaccinations. Trump leveraged his opposition to COVID mandates to bolster his support for smaller, less intrusive government, continuing his “drain the swamp” message from 2016.

Sometimes called the “people’s billionaire,” Trump demonstrated a keen understanding of Americans’ frustrations during his successful 2024 presidential campaign. By addressing hot-button cultural issues such as men in women’s sports and illegal immigration, Trump appealed to voters alarmed by perceived negative changes to America’s values and culture. His promises to restore the economy, dismantle DEI initiatives, and reduce government interference in daily life resonated with middle-class voters seeking to provide for their families, keep more of their paychecks, and simply be left alone.

Political influence tends to swing between left and right over time. The current shift to the right has ushered in Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. A successful Trump presidency could sustain this momentum for decades to come.

Milei boldly slams UK jailing citizens who call out Muslim rape gangs



On Thursday, Argentinian President Javier Milei addressed the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. In addition to addressing Argentina’s stunning economic recovery, he spent time eviscerating the World Economic forum for it’s “barbarity” in radically enforcing its global woke agenda.

Milei started his case by eviscerating European leaders for destroying the foundations of Western civilization in favor of mass immigration:

Since the West is supposedly the root cause of all of the world's evils in history, it must redeem itself by opening its borders to everyone, which leads to a form of reverse colonization that resembles collective suicide.
So, this is how we now see images of hordes of immigrants who abuse, assault, or even kill European citizens, whose only sin was not adhering to a particular religion. But when someone questions these situations, they are immediately labeled racists, xenophobic or even Nazis.

After calling out the WEF member institutions in particular for their embrace of radical sexual perversions and identities, he went straight at the government of the United Kingdom.

Milei said:

Is it not true that right now, as we speak, in the U.K. citizens are being imprisoned for exposing horrifying crimes committed by Muslim migrants, crimes that the government seeks to conceal? Or didn't the bureaucrats in Brussels suspend Romania's elections simply because they didn't like the party that had won?
— (@)

He continued:

Faced with each of these discussions, wokeism’s first strategy is to discredit those of us who challenge these things first by labeling us and then by silencing us. If you're white, you must be racist. If you're a man, you must be a misogynist or part of the patriarchy. If you're rich, you must be a cruel capitalist. If you're heterosexual, you must be heteronormative, homophobic, or transphobic.
For every challenge, they have a label, and then they try to suppress you by force or through legal means. Because beneath the rhetoric of diversity, democracy and tolerance that they so often preach, what truly lies is their blatant desire to eliminate dissent, criticism and ultimately freedom, so they can continue to uphold a model in which they are the main beneficiaries.

Watch the whole speech here.

The British press rushed to the defense of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s left-wing government by accusing Milei of echoing the erroneous accusations of Elon Musk.

This is the second year in a row that Milei has gone after the global elites at Davos in person. With the ascension to the presidency of the United States of Donald Trump on Monday, he is no longer a lone voice.

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It Was a Very Good Year—At Least for Trump and Bibi

The Beltway consensus is that Americans will look back fondly on 2024. Other than the major war or two, the Biden years were a welcome interlude in Washington from the chaos and tumult of Donald Trump's hyperactive tweeting. As the mandarins look back wistfully, the hoi polloi may recall a different set of events.

The post It Was a Very Good Year—At Least for Trump and Bibi appeared first on .

Zelenskyy, Netanyahu, world leaders congratulate Trump on election victory: 'Congratulations on history's greatest comeback'



World leaders congratulated former President Donald Trump on his pivotal victory in the 2024 election.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a statement on the X social media platform.

'Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump on your historic election victory.'

"Congratulations to Donald Trump on his impressive election victory! I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine," Zelenskyy began.

"I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelenskyy continued. "This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together."

"We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership," Zelenskyy stated. "We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States. We are interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both of our nations."

"Ukraine, as one of Europe's strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies. I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine's strategic partnership with the United States," Zelenskyy concluded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's win as "history's greatest comeback."

"Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America," Netanyahu said. "This is a huge victory! In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared, "The biggest comeback in U.S. political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much needed victory for the world!"

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a "great conversation" with Trump following his election victory.

"Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity," Modi stated.

"Had a great conversation with my friend, President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory," Modi continued. "Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defense, energy, space, and several other sectors."

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posted, "Heartfelt congratulations to Donald Trump. I truly look forward to working closely with you to further bolster the Japan-U.S. Alliance & cooperate to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "Congratulations to Donald Trump on being elected President of the United States. The friendship between Canada and the U.S. is the envy of the world. I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our nations."

French President Emmanuel Macron stated, "Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years. With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer added, "Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy, and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come."

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele told Trump, "Congratulations to the president-elect of the United States of America. May God bless and guide you."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X, "I congratulate Donald Trump on his election as U.S. President. Germany and the USA have been working together successfully for a long time to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the benefit of our citizens."

Argentinian President Javier Milei congratulated Trump by saying, "Congratulations on your formidable electoral victory. Now, Make America Great Again. You know that You can count on Argentina to carry out your task. Success and blessings."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added, "Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election victory. Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote, "I congratulate my friend Donald Trump, who won the presidential election in the United States after a great struggle and was re-elected as the president of the United States. In this new period that will begin with the elections of the American people, I hope that Turkey-U.S. relations will strengthen, that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, will come to an end; I believe that more efforts will be made for a more just world. I hope that the elections will be beneficial for our friendly and allied people in the United States and for all of humanity."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, "On behalf of myself and the Italian Government, my most sincere congratulations to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. Italy and the United States are 'sister' nations, linked by an unshakable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship. It is a strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even further. Good work Mr. President."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed posted on X, "Congratulations to President Donald Trump on your election victory and comeback. I look forward to working together to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries during your term.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda said, "Congratulations, Mr. President Donald Trump! You made it happen!"

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated, "Congratulations to Donald Trump on winning the presidential election. Our shared goal is to ensure that the relations between our countries remain at the highest level, despite changes in administration, and that we continue to develop them for the benefit of our citizens."

China said it hoped for “peaceful coexistence” with the U.S. with Trump as president.

“We will continue to approach and handle China-U.S. relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing on Wednesday.

“Our policy toward the United States has been consistent,” Ning added. “We respect the choice of the American people."

Notably missing from the world leaders was Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I am not aware of the president’s plans to congratulate Trump on his election,” Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday. "Let’s not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country that is directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will wait until the vote tallies are officially finalized before addressing Trump's win.

"There will be good relations with the United States," Sheinbaum said. "I'm convinced of that. There's no reason to worry. For our compatriots, for Mexican entrepreneurs, there's no reason to worry. Mexico always comes out ahead."

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Prepare for the left to raise hell after a Trump victory — but that's all



As Kamala Harris continues to embarrass herself in each new interview, especially her recent one with Bret Baier on Fox News, it’s time to seriously consider the possibility that Donald Trump could win this presidential election.

At any other time in history, this might be a reason to celebrate, make peace with political opponents, and look forward to better days. Unfortunately, the stakes in this election, along with the intense hostility, give conservatives good reason to fear what could happen if Trump wins. As the old Chinese curse goes, “May you get what you wish for.”

A Harris loss would show that most Americans finally understand the status quo no longer serves them and that reform is urgent.

Commenting on Harris’ repeated claims that Trump poses an existential threat and will round up and imprison American citizens, John Daniel Davidson, a senior editor at the Federalist, argued that the primary goal of this rhetoric is to prepare Democrat voters for violent resistance if Trump wins in November. If it also scares more people into voting for her or motivates a few would-be assassins to target Trump, that’s just a bonus. But the real aim is to incite riots across the country, like those in the summer of 2020 — only worse.

Taking a slightly more optimistic view, political commentator Mark Halperin predicts that America could experience “the greatest mental health crisis in the history of the country.” According to Halperin, leftist propaganda has become so strong and pervasive that a Trump victory would completely shatter many people’s reality: “I think tens of millions of people will question their connection to the nation, their connection to other human beings, and their vision of what their future, and their children’s future, could be.”

But a Trump victory may not trigger a national crisis. While both Davidson and Halperin correctly assess the damage leftist gaslighting has done to the mental and emotional state of many Americans, cataclysmic mass tantrums likely won’t follow. Some influencers and pundits will express outrage, but widespread violence in the streets seems unlikely.

Instead, a Trump victory would highlight what many are beginning to notice: Today’s leftism is spent and in decline.

Despite its traditional claim of championing the “rights of the people,” leftism no longer functions as a populist movement. In reality, it has become a collective effort by elites to maintain their power by preserving a system that keeps them rich and in control. Leftism now entails opposing free speech, opening the border, undermining and dismantling cultural institutions, overturning the constitutional order, and pouring vast amounts of money into ineffective programs.

This shift explains why so many union workers, black men, Latinos, and tech bros — once key constituents in the Democratic coalition — are drifting away. Behind the talk of diversity, social justice, and equity lies an agenda that will leave them poorer, less free, less safe, and ultimately less influential. Even if some still vote for Harris out of habit, they are not going to burn the country down or wage civil war against Trump supporters if she loses. Nor will they scream helplessly at the sky. They have no reason to do so.

As Margaret Thatcher once said, “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” The current system of endless borrowing, taxing, and printing money to fund corrupt regimes, bloated government departments, massive corporate contracts, and entitlements for millions of illegal immigrants is unsustainable. This is why crime is rising, infrastructure is crumbling, and the federal government lacks funds to help victims of devastating hurricanes.

This unsustainability explains why Harris cannot articulate a coherent agenda. It’s not just that she’s incompetent and radical but also that she lacks the resources to deliver on any new promises. Everyone knows a Harris administration would lead to higher taxes, mass amnesty, a crackdown on free speech, more inflation, and the creation of a police state to crush dissent. She has no other options.

A Harris loss in November would make this reality clear. It would show that most Americans finally understand the status quo no longer serves them and that reform is urgent. A small minority of elites and their paid agitators might try to raise hell, but their efforts would be futile.

Look at Argentina after the flamboyant libertarian Javier Milei won the presidential election last year. The fact that he won and delivered on his promises reveals how little influence leftists actually have. Milei took a country deeply in debt, plagued by extreme inflation, and burdened with a bloated government — much like the United States — and, according to writer Joseph Addington, “arrested a catastrophic inflationary spiral, drastically slashed government spending to produce a budgetary surplus for the first time in decades, and completely restructured the Argentine economy and government.”

The same could happen here. Most Americans are well past the point of fussing over Trump’s tweets, his character flaws, or his involvement in the January 6 protests. They know he is not a fascist because he already served one term as president and did a much better job than the administration trying to stay in power. And in their heart of hearts, even most leftists probably know this and will feel inwardly relieved at Trump’s return — even as they make a show of shedding some crocodile tears in November for the sake of form.

Argentina's 'chainsaw' president tells the UN to shove its 'socialist' 'Pact for the Future'



Javier Milei, Argentina's self-proclaimed "anarcho-capitalist" president, took office in December 2023. In the months since, he has taken a "chainsaw" to his predecessors' failed leftist policies as well as to some critics' doubts.

This week, he shredded globalist hopes that the Argentine Republic would be party to the United Nations' "Pact for the Future," telling the General Assembly, "Argentina will not back any policy that implies the restriction of individual freedoms or trade, nor the violation of the natural rights of individuals."

Milei — whose debut address to the U.N. took place within hours of reports indicating that Argentina's economic activity beat estimates, growing 1.7% in July — invited other nations to join him not only in "opposing this pact, but in the creation of a new agenda for this noble institution: the freedom agenda."

After noting that the U.N. served a noble purpose in the wake of World War II, Milei stated it has since "stopped upholding the principles outlined in its founding declaration and begun to mutate" — from an organization that once defended human rights to "one of the main drivers of the systematic violation of freedom."

Milei dragged the U.N. for its support of "global quarantines during the year 2020," which he suggested qualify as crimes against humanity, as well as its appeasement of "bloody dictatorships," such as Venezuela, and criticism of Israel.

According to the Argentine president, the U.N. was created "as a shield to protect the realm of men" but has "transformed into a multi-tentacled leviathan that seeks to decide not only what each nation-state should do but also how all the citizens of the world should live."

'It is basically an attempt to build a totalitarian system of conformity across the business sector.'

Milei suggested that instead of seeking peace, the U.N. now seeks to impose an ideology on its members.

Distinguishing himself from a great many onlookers as a "libertarian liberal economist" rather than a politician, Milei warned of the threat posed by "collectivist policies" baked into the U.N.'s doomed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The U.N.'s 2030 agenda includes 17 interlinked global goals designed to "transform the world."

Paul Tice, an adjunct professor of finance at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University, indicated in his recent book, "The Race to Zero: How ESG Investing Will Crater the Global Financial System," that:

Climate action (SDG #13) provides the intersectional glue for the entire progressive agenda embedded in the UN's sustainability program, with each individual cause drawing strength and further validation from the moral imperative of saving the planet from fossil fuels because, in the UN's telling, climate change also affects global health, poverty, hunger, and national security, and 'its adverse impacts undermine the ability of all countries to achieve sustainable development.

Tice emphasized that sustainability is part of a broader anti-capitalist campaign that "borrows elements from both the totalitarian and reformist approaches of the past."

"It is basically an attempt to build a totalitarian system of conformity across the business sector based on moral suasion, thereby avoiding the administrative cost and public sector responsibility associated with outright state ownership or direct government intervention," wrote Tice.

'[The sustainability agenda] is nothing more than a super-national socialist government program.'

The professor noted further that "it embraces both state and progressive priorities but is mainly the fabrication of a permanent supranational bureaucracy of technocrats residing at multilateral agencies led by the UN and international NGOS such as the WEF, which effectively insulates it from accountability at the ballot box."

Sharing similar concerns about the U.N. agenda and its broader sustainability push, Milei suggested that the U.N. is now effectively a model of "super-national governance by international bureaucrats who intend to impose a certain way of life on the citizens of the world."

According to Milei, the "Pact for the Future," which 143 countries approved Sunday, is par for the course.

The pact overlaps with the 2030 sustainability agenda, laying out objectives for a multilateral approach to addressing changing weather patterns, so-called reproductive rights, and digital cooperation.

"Although well-intentioned in its goals, [the pact] is nothing more than a super-national socialist government program that aims to solve the problems of modernity with solutions that undermine the sovereignty of nation-states and violate the right to life, liberty, and property of individuals," said the Argentine president. "It is an agenda that aims to solve poverty, inequality, and discrimination with legislation that only deepens these issues."

Milei suggested that the pact is another poorly conceived utopian program that will not withstand or tolerate humans' incompatible nature and choices.

"We want to officially express our dissent regarding the 'Pact of the Future' signed on Sunday," said Milei, concluding with a version of a quote from Thomas Paine: "Those who wish to reap the blessings of freedom must, as men, endure the fatigue of defending it."

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Javier Milei’s bold economic reforms overshadowed by controversial AI security plans



Argentina’s firebrand leader, Javier Milei, keeps winning. He promised a libertarian revolution in the long-socialist country, and this month, he’s crushing inflation, advancing an austere new zero-deficit budget, and scheduling a high-level sit-down on the future of cryptocurrencies with the founder of Cardano. But unfortunately, there’s another side to Milei’s policy plans — one straight out of dystopian sci-fi.

When Javier Milei secured the presidency of Argentina last November, the global far right erupted in celebration. Milei’s landslide victory over the Peronist candidate, Sergio Massa, by nearly 3 million votes ignited hope among populists worldwide. Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro were among the first to cheer their Argentine ally, with Trump confidently predicting that Milei would “truly make Argentina great again” and Bolsonaro praising the win as a triumph for “honesty, progress, and freedom.” The admiration and praise were understandable — after all, the Argentinian people elected a man of the people, someone who promised to do his utmost to work in their best interests.

Authorities could potentially detain individuals based on predicted future crimes, stripping away the very essence of free will and personal liberty.

Which makes Milei’s latest initiative so baffling and unsettling.

Under his leadership, Argentina recently established a so-called Applied Artificial Intelligence for Security Unit. This new agency, part of the Ministry of Security, is tasked with leveraging AI to analyze vast amounts of historical crime data and monitor social media interactions, all to predict and prevent criminal activities.

Such an initiative might seem forward-thinking and innovative. The idea that AI can forecast criminal behavior based on historical patterns sounds efficient, and perhaps in a certain way, it is. But it’s littered with potential land mines: overreach, profiling, and unwarranted surveillance. The emphasis on scanning social media for “potential threats” risks devolving into invasive scrutiny of the everyday lives of ordinary citizens, all under a vaguely defined and potentially overbroad mandate.

Lamentably, this isn’t just about Milei or Argentina. AI-driven surveillance is becoming increasingly common in countries worldwide, including in the United States. In China, a country I worked in for 18 months, AI is already employed to monitor citizens’ behavior, with those deemed “untrustworthy” facing consequences ranging from travel bans to restricted access to social services. One could argue that the situation has already shifted, with cities like New York and London now resembling Beijing and Shanghai in terms of surveillance.

Of course, this dystopian reality is eerily similar to what we’ve seen depicted in episodes of "Black Mirror"or the movie "Minority Report." Authorities could potentially detain individuals based on predicted future crimes, stripping away the very essence of free will and personal liberty. Social media posts, online searches, and even the most mundane activities could fall under the relentless gaze of automated systems designed to flag anything deemed suspicious.

As if that’s not bad enough, these systems can easily be misused, leading to unwarranted interventions, the targeting of political dissenters, or the suppression of dissenting voices. As I write this, all across Europe, including in Ireland, my place of birth, "hate speech" laws are being implemented with increasing severity. Individuals found guilty of crossing the line, even through a social media post, are facing lengthy prison sentences.

Now is the time for citizens and lawmakers to engage with these developments critically. Ensuring that the pursuit of security does not come at the cost of the liberties it aims to protect is of vital importance. AI can be a tool for good, but only if everyday people have a say in how it is used. The power to shape our future should not be left solely in the hands of governments or tech giants. We must demand transparency, accountability, and a say in how these technologies are deployed. Otherwise, Big Brother will get a whole lot bigger and, without a doubt, a whole lot badder.

Jon Stewart officially a ‘wokester’— left out KEY details on crime in Democrat-run cities



Jon Stewart was once what people might call a “liberal.” Now, he’s just like all the others who abandoned their integrity to go off the “woke” deep end.

“He’s no longer a liberal, he is just sort of a ‘wokester,’” Dave Rubin says, before showing a clip of Stewart attempting to debunk the GOP’s city crime narrative.

“It’s the dang Democrat-encouraged crime. It’s one of the right’s favorite talking points, not just from Milwaukee but for all Democratic run cities,” Stewart mocked. “Those cities are crime-infested holes where life is miserable and everyone hates everybody.”

“By the way, it does turn out that crime is actually down,” he continued, before referencing a clip of Lester Holt claiming that the FBI reported the nation’s violent crime rate has dropped dramatically this year.

“It’s all a misunderstanding; but now that the FBI numbers are out, I’m sure that the right-wing media will adjust accordingly,” Stewart mocked again, sharing a clip of a Fox News host saying that cities still have a poor quality of life while a video of a car doing donuts plays in the background.

“He’s making the reverse point of the point he’s trying to make. He’s showing, ‘Oh these guys are doing double donuts.’ Yes, it’s illegal and people can be killed,” Rubin comments.

But that’s not all.

The reason Stewart is able to regurgitate those FBI numbers is because a large portion of crime is never reported to the FBI in the first place.

According to a report by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, 37% of police departments stopped reporting crime data to the FBI, including large departments for Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

For other jurisdictions like Baltimore and Nashville, crimes are being underreported or undercounted.

“So, again, we can all argue about the percentages and everything else, but we simply know that in Republican-run cities you cannot run into a CVS and steal all of the stuff,” Rubin says.


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