Russia and Washington: Economic Lessons from Fairy Tales and History Fundraiser - Econ Lessons

[TexasTowelie]

I love stories real and imagined as they teach us something about ourselves. In this video I explore the economic and diplomatic approaches of Russia and the U.S., analyzing how transnational diplomacy, arm’s-length transactions, and altruism shape global relations.

I argue that Washington is currently shifting (I might be wrong on this but this is the current evidence) toward transnational diplomacy, a strategy distinct from traditional market-driven negotiations by individual actors.

To illustrate these concepts, I turn to fairy tales and history, uncovering patterns that continue to influence international affairs.

One of my favorite stories is that of Prince Charming and Snow White. This couple serve as a metaphor for geopolitical coercion, reflecting how powerful players often steer nations into strategic alignments.

Further, I look at Ivan the Terrible and Napoleon’s remark—"Scratch a Russian and you will find a Tatar"—highlight how Russian identity remains fundamentally different from the Renaissance- and Enlightenment-shaped free world.

I also examine Germany in the 1940s, when it engaged in transnational diplomacy to secure strategic resources from its suppliers—paralleling today’s geopolitical maneuvers. The tale of Rumpelstiltskin, a character who always struck deals with those in desperate need, mirrors a flawed economic model based on exploitation rather than mutual prosperity.

Ultimately, I argue that altruism—not transactionalism—should guide economic and diplomatic decisions to create good and make the world a better place.