Municipal law doesn’t gain its authority simply through rulings made in court. Instead, its power is enforced through a centralised police force, which can enforce court decisions and create a deterrent against breaking the law. Without this strong enforcement, court rulings would have far fewer practical consequences and could therefore be largely ineffective. This idea is reflected in the global community through the International Court of Justice, or ICJ. The ICJ lacks its own police force and military power, so it instead relies on the Security Council to help enforce its rulings. Therefore, the ICJ is more vulnerable to the inherent power imbalances within the council due to the veto power of the permanent five, which some critics, including former Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, have described as “not democratic”.

In 1986, the ICJ ruled that the US had violated international law by mining Nicaraguan harbours and supporting the Contras, a rebel group with documented human rights abuses. However, the US did not accept the ruling and blocked attempts to enforce it through the Security Council. This highlights a key weakness of international law: although the ICJ can determine when a state has broken international law, it has limited power to make that state comply. It also demonstrates the vast power imbalance between powerful states and developing nations. Therefore, the Nicaragua v. United States case suggests that international law can become performative during crises, as a legal ruling may exist without meaningful consequences for the state that violated it or providing justice for the offended state. This weakens the deterrent effect of international law and raises questions about whether the international system really treats powerful and weaker states equally.

We can see effective voluntary commitment in international law through treaties. These treaties often restrict a nation’s own actions and can help prevent disputes, stopping a crisis before it even starts. Therefore, they challenge the idea that international law is performative, as treaties usually mean active action. However, as seen with Nicaragua v. US, international law relies heavily on states continuing to recognise and respect their obligations. When a state decides that its own interests outweigh its international commitments, the ability to force compliance can be limited. Therefore, treaties demonstrate that international law can have genuine authority, but they also reveal how much of that authority depends upon voluntary cooperation.

While the ICJ may have no peacekeeping force, the UN certainly does, known as ‘peacekeepers’ or ‘Blue Helmets’. However, the existence of a protective force does not necessarily mean that international law has a positive practical impact during crises. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, scientific investigations determined UN peacekeepers had introduced a new strain of cholera, which caused a national epidemic, to Haiti. This is especially significant, as a force entrusted to bring stability and security has instead exacerbated the situation of an extremely vulnerable country. In several other member states, peacekeepers have been accused of rape and sexual exploitation, e.g. through brothels, including against minors. While the cholera case in Haiti was accidental and passive, these reports are especially horrific, as we see people trusted with power and international recognition abuse this. Several peacekeepers took advantage of desperate women, thus tarnishing the reputation of international law. Thus, international law is often performative. On a surface level, there might be change; however, if you delve deeper, there can be abuse of power and exploitation of vulnerable people. It is not true that all peacekeeper missions result in sexual crimes, as some have reinstated peace and security in nations. However, the serious failures of some peacekeeping missions demonstrate how international law’s effectiveness can often crumble during times of emergency.

International law can also be ineffective during crises due to its slow decision-making. During the Rwandan genocide, while many nations tirelessly debated the role of an allotted peacekeeping force, UNAMIR, 800,000 Rwandans were being killed. Eventually, only 2,560 troops out of the 4,500 the commander of UNAMIR asked for were deployed. Furthermore, the Security Council severely restricted the legitimacy and the actions UNAMIR could take to restore security to the region and protect innocent lives. Therefore, international law can arrive too late and can be too little to prevent harm. However, this slow decision process is still valuable, as it allows for democratic disputes and the acknowledgment of other perspectives. Requiring different nations to agree helps make international decisions more powerful and legitimate. In an ideal world, it also aids in preventing an unjust distribution of power to any one state and its resolutions. This is particularly important because international law cannot simply be imposed by one country onto another. If decisions were made instantly without considering different perspectives, international law could just become another tool for powerful member states to impose their interests. Therefore, the slowness of international decision-making is partly a consequence of its attempt to remain legitimate and representative. Therein lies a paradox: in a crisis, does speed or democratic process hold more importance? It’s not so simple. Without democratic process, international law holds no legitimacy and little respect. However, without speed, as seen in the Rwandan genocide, international law has little effect. While idealistically strong, international law’s speed when responding to crises makes it less effective.

Ultimately, international law is not completely superficial or performative. Its strengths lie in its cooperative treaties and delivering accountability. While it optimistically aims to change the course of a crisis, systemic failures and abuses of power limit the impact. Perhaps the greatest weakness of international law is therefore not the absence of laws, but the dependence of those laws on the cooperation of states that have their own interests and power. International law may tell the world what should happen, but during a crisis, it cannot always make it happen.

Smooth - as if glazed with morning dew,

A tiny hand extends with curious might

A sudden pull, a swift and ruthless tear,

That strips away the vast sky,

And leaves behind the naked air.

And now if a baby pressed a tiny finger,

the solitary wing would shatter

like shimmery stained glass,

leaving only a tiny cut upon skin,

jagged and red,

as if someone had traced out all the veins,

with a brush still wet with dusk.

And when day fades to night,

Eyes flutter shut,

The shards forget their weight,

Twirl around each other,

A silent silver dance,

And with a blink

They fuse together again,

And from the glazed cacoon,

A butterfly wing bursts,

Nearly translucent in the twinkling twilight,

Then fades into oblivion.

I flip each page of the script,

Fingers caressing the characters pain away,

Eyes sympathising with each woe,

Brandish a highlighter in one hand, tea in the other

My voice comes out wobbly and naive,

A stranger to my role,

But with each word, she embues a strength in me,

Her prowess places me as a marionette,

A mere puppet for her actions,

I cry when she cries,

A deep guttural scream that echoes,

Captured eternally in the minds of the audience,

I laugh when she laughs,

Radiating a wealth which lingers in the air,

I dream of her that night,

The curls of her hair, how to tame mine,

The outfit, a well fitting robe,

And the next night,

But her eyes are different,

And her smile,

A dimple in her left cheek,

A mirror image of mine and we smile together.

Introduction

China has the second largest economy in the world at 20 trillion dollars, as well as having the second largest population in the world at approximately 1.4 billion people. It is by all means a global superpower: a nation with significant political influence in institutions such as the United Nations and economic power built on manufacturing and trade. However, even a global superpower such as China cannot maintain an endless superpower like economic growth. Like many advanced countries, China is facing a series of structural and societal challenges shaping the economy’s trajectory. This raises an important question: what steps is the Chinese government taking to address these issues and restore a strong rate of growth to China’s economy?

Demographic struggles

While China has the second largest population in the world, its changing demographic structure poses a pressing issue to the Chinese economy. Decades of declining birth rates combined with a rise in life expectancy have led to an increasingly aging population and a subsequent reduction in the working age labor force. An aging population puts strain on healthcare services, government revenue, and productivity as there is now a smaller workforce which can contribute to economic growth.

There have been various policies introduced within China to tackle the demographic problems within it. Since 2025, China has begun to raise the statutory retirement age for both women and men with the aim of increasing productivity and reducing the length of time during which its citizens are reliant upon the state pension. China’s retirement age is amongst one of the lowest in the world so increasing the retirement age means people are economically active for longer while potentially avoiding health and welfare problems which may arise with a larger elderly workforce.

China’s government has also adopted pro-natalist ideals by removing its one-child policy in late 2015. Policies such as childcare support, housing incentives. and cash grants for families with children under the age of three are intended to alleviate the financial burden for parents. These policies attempt to make parenthood a more financially feasible and attractive prospect. However, there is limited evidence that these policies have alleviated demographic issues thus far. The Chinese government is failing to properly address the long working hours of young people, who are often reluctant to have children because they will have less time to spend with their children. This is especially significant given China’s large female workforce, making policies that improve work life balance essential for achieving high birth rates. They have already begun to expand maternal benefits, but are these policies really doing enough?

Innovation

Since the introduction of China’s Open Door Policy in 1978, its economy has been largely based on low cost manufacturing and the subsequent trade of goods. However, China is facing problems through competition from other nations and the enactment of sanctions against its goods. In response,China is relying more on its tertiary and quaternary sectors such as research, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. A large tertiary and quaternary sector is typically a symbol of development as it creates higher skilled employment and higher paying jobs, increasing the Chinese standard of living. As a result, China’s economic growth is becoming increasingly dependent on its ability to innovate rather than rely on manufacturing.

China has invested heavily in innovation through government funding in research and technology companies. Some of these products such as Huawei and electrical vehicles have gained significant international popularity and are being exported worldwide. Furthermore, China’s high speed rail is symbolic of modern engineering and advancement.

However, there are still some concerns which remain. Worries around intellectual property protection and copyright of goods result have led to the restriction of Chinese goods in global markets, limiting their international reach. Tensions with the Western World have led to Chinese companies finding it more difficult to buy advanced foreign technology, further slowing down innovation in quaternary and tertiary sectors. China’s education system is also highly focused on exams and academic results, however in order to encourage innovation, perhaps schools should be prioritising strong individual thought, creativity and lessons which better suit the tertiary sector.

Low domestic consumption

China may have a high export rate of goods but inside the country, consumption is extremely low. Household saving, an increased cost of living and a general uncertainty in the economy have shaken consumer demand. China is therefore heavily reliant on external markets and this reliance makes the Chinese economy more vulnerable to economic disruptions and international political disagreements. China has a potentially large national market to spur economic growth if the government can effectively encourage more spending.

The Chinese government hopes to improve domestic spending by helping their citizens feel more confident in their money. As outlined in the fifteen year plan, they will increase household incomes so that people have more disposable income. Furthermore, they hope to strengthen healthcare and unemployment benefits so that people feel more secure with their money and are motivated to spend more. However, the benefits to these policies are more long term so we are left to wonder about the effectiveness of them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, China faces a series of challenges to its rate of economic growth. An ageing population means a decrease in productivity and government revenue through taxes. Furthermore, although there has been significant progress in innovation as seen through China’s electric cars, China should reform its education system in order to promote innovation. Finally, the Chinese government aims to help people feel more secure in their money in order to increase domestic consumption. While the 1978 Open Door Policy demonstrates that major economic transformation is possible, maintaining strong growth in the future will depend on whether China can successfully adapt its economic model once again.

Hills undulating like gauzy silk,

And as we walk, bags weighing us down but heads defying gravity,

The slippery silk tries to unseat us,

Yet stubborn feet grip to its folds,

Digging into the wispy, enchanting cloth,

Bedazzled with daisies,

Spring's newly polished jewels.

But we are rewarded when after,

Surviving a deathly attack of insects,

Which cling desperately to neon high-vis vests,

And enduring a steep gradient.

We reach the top,

And a view

From the sky's mansion awaits us:

The sea, a cerulean blue,

While tiny thatched houses are

White pebbles resting at its foot.

Scaling brick walls like green veins seeking a heartbeat, catching people unaware.

On the streets, a steady flow of pedestrians roamed,

A tangled knot of vines and flowers, wild and overgrown.

Lilies, fuchsias, violets, and bluebells,

Painting vibrant streaks of colour, defiant rebels.

Petals broke free in bright confetti storms,

Swarming the streets like restless butterflies in a mating dance.

Their sickly-sweet scent slithered through the air,

Threading through every breath, tangling itself in hair.

A cacophony of coughing and wheezing began;

Those who weren't inside hurried home as fast as they could and ran.

Chaos ensued; windows and doors were blocked from outside.

People clutched each other desperately; children cried.

Caged outside by thick, rough vines intertwined,

Cats meowed helplessly, dogs whined.

Once grey concrete skeletons,

Now wrapped in electric blue blooms and tangled veins.

Glass mansions stood stitched shut with roots,

Nature reclaiming what remained.

Now a danger, once a beauty.

Now a danger, always a beauty

It’s the last cap of milk in the jug,

Just enough for a cup of tea,

To push back the grey, greedy hands of the rain,

A steaming hot shield against stuffy colds,

And I am ready as ever to face the day.

……………………………………………………………….

It’s the free seat on the morning bus,

When you feel ensnared by slumber’s sleep,

Your tote bag heavy with a dozen worries,

But as your muscles give way,

And as you sink down down down,

The weary seat catches me as I sink down,

And all the worries drift away like summer rain.

……………………………………………………………….

It’s walking into a newly clean room,

Where flowers have been placed,

And the air smells faintly sweeter somehow,

Like all the world has paused to be kind,

Enveloping me in warm serenity.

In recent years, right wing parties have been gaining support, bringing newer ideologies to the public and European politics. From national elections to EU parliament votes, these parties have moved from the margins closer to the political mainstream. This shift has become one of the most significant political movements shaping the future of Europe today.

Traditionally, European politics has been largely dominated by centre left and centre right parties. These parties supported social welfare systems as well as cooperation through organisations such as the EU. However, this political equilibrium first began to weaken around the 2010s with economic and political crises that challenged people’s confidence in centre parties, largely capitalised upon by the right wing.

An early turning point was the 2008 financial crisis. The crisis led to long term economic hardship, unemployment and austerity measures being introduced in many European countries. Ctizens experienced declining living standards and wage stagnation which created widespread resentment towards those in power, who were being seen as unequipped to handle this crisis. It challenged people’s confidence in typical political institutions and the right wing took advantage of this by presenting themselves as a refreshing alternative to traditional parties. A more recent example is the Covid 19 pandemic. Lockdown followed by subsequent economic disruption and a lack of available information led to widespread frustration and uncertainty in the general public. The subsequently immense cost of living crisis that arose from the pandemic left many people desperate and looking for a change in governance. Right wing parties portrayed themselves as the protectors of ordinary people against the out of touch political elite, with many exploiting the controversies which health measures such as the mask mandate brought, positioning themselves as torch bearers of freedom and national sovereignty. Both crises provided a stronger platform for the right wing to express their views and served as catalysts to the rise of the right in Europe which we have been seeing recently.

Immigration has also been a central factor. The increase in migration in Europe, especially the 2015 migration crisis where one million refugees fled to Europe, intensified public debate over borders and security. In some communities, rapid rises in population as a result of asylum seekers, led to a strain on public services and natural resources. Right wing parties often framed immigration as a threat to national identity and economic stability, providing easy to understand and powerfully spoken solutions to the European population, many of whom were worried about demographic change.

Especially in Europe, another key reason for the rise of the right is declining public trust in political institutions. Many voters believe that traditional parties no longer represent their interests and the party’s decisions have become distant and out of touch. The EU has been under fire recently especially by right wing parties as being overly bureaucratic and detached from interests of sovereign nations. Right wing parties often capitalised on this, with the term ‘euroskepticism’ arising, connecting voters together through their common dislike of political institutions.

The role of social media and technology is becoming increasingly significant. Social media platforms often allow political messages to spread rapidly and directly. Right wing parties use these platforms to communicate emotionally powerful and relatable messages, criticising opponents and building support with a wider audience. When one politically right video is watched on someone’s feed, they can end up in a filter bubble where they only see one perspective. This can then exacerbate polarisation of politics and the rapid spread of right wing leaders as powerful political symbols leading to a growth in support of their narratives.

The rise of the right can be observed across many European countries. In Italy, right wing parties have formed a coalition government, emphasising nationalism and strict immigration policies. Indeed, the Netherlands and Austria are both being led by hard right parties in government, focusing on immigration policy. Finally in France, right wing movements such as the National Rally led by Marine Le Pen, have gained significant working class support, gathering influence in national debates and getting major media coverage. It is clear that the rise of the right is a trend across Europe, not just in a few anomalous countries.

The impact of this political shift has been substantial. Right-wing parties are increasingly influencing government policies on immigration, law enforcement, and sovereignty. Public opinion has become more polarized, with increased tensions between different social groups, fracturing our society. Critics argue that some right-wing movements threaten democratic values and minority rights while supporters speak out about how these parties have given voice to legitimate concerns that have long been ignored. It is clear that these movements mirror frustrations among parts of the European population so addressing the causes of this trend will be crucial for Europe’s political stability and democratic future.

I think its less the moon I am enraptured by but more the liminality of the evening. The idea that you can feel wind blowing in your hair, air made ornate by sun and a void by night. There is something so simple yet beautiful about the evening.

The moon is a really interesting symbol however. Associated with the night - darkness, suspicion and concealment. It’s depictions in literature, especially greek myths are some of moral ambiguities. Is it a bright beacon of good in the dead of night? Is it guilty by association to the night?

I like drawing on that tension in my poetry — all those conflicting meanings layered onto one object. It’s kind of funny, actually, because the moon has been described in so many ways it almost feels cliché… and yet it still doesn’t feel exhausted. There are still so many things left to say about it that I’ve already written five poems. And, honestly, there’ll probably be a sixth.

The power of the moon to me isnt something loud or dramatic, like the sun, but something eerily quiet. Underneath its fading light, everything becomes slightly softer and reflective, entranced even.

In my poems, the moon has been a warrior against the sun, the guardian of dreams, the leader of a legion of thousands of stars, a quiet child and lastly, a captive.

I wonder what it is going to be in my sixth.

Out of curiousity: do you prefer the moon ir stars?

A velvety box feebly shines in the dark

As if old moonlight is trapped in the seams as a spark

It cries out for fresh air

Rejecting the deceptive dust that drifts like pale despair

The tangled threads of my consciousness are pulled,

I have been chosen, like a deer, to be culled,

It's a smothering silence in the void,

But I am fixated on the job for which I was employed.

We are drawn together, like two opposing magnets,

Eventually a calloused hand will rip through the air, will leave us to a life of drabness,

The box is a a cumbersome mixture of madness,

Of concentrated suffocating badness.

But I unlock the clasp,

Let the moonlight sigh with a heavy rasp,

Bedazzling the room with impossible dreams,

Free of its gold shackles, the moon again beams.

And night is day and day is night,

The moonlight rises to destroy the box in a fight,

The box lies shattered on the ground,

Bleeding sunlight is splattered all around.

The moonlight lives to fight another day.

Rises up once again to rule from the mansion of the stars.

By Ananya:)

India has power split between the central government and the state government, a political idea known as federalism.Other democracies which have similar federal systems of governance are Germany and the US. Politicians are elected to both the central and the state governments by the people, some states like Odisha participating in both the state and general elections last year. The state government has relatively broad powers with authorisation over certain areas such as taxation and borrowing by the state as well as being responsible for larger areas like healthcare services, which are free, and utilities such as electricity whereas the central government has responsibilities over areas like defence, foreign policy and economic policies. There is dual responsibility between both governments over education. The state legislative sends elected representatives to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the central government which can’t be dissolved, where a term lasts six years compared to the five year terms in the Lok Sabha.

The central government has a similar parliamentary system to the UK having two main separate entities, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, members of the Lok Sabha are elected to represent a constituency and this general election was for the Lok Sabha .The main parties in the Indian parliament are the INC, prime ministers part of this party included Jawaharlal Nehru first and longest serving prime minister for 17 years as well as Indira Gandhi who has been the only female prime minister for India ,and the BJP. The INC, led by Mallikarjan Kharge, used to rule for years uninterrupted but is struggling to find relevance in modern day India with policies focusing around social welfare, secularism and state autonomy whereas the BJP focuses on economic growth, strengthened ties with America, Japan and Russia, tighter defence against Pakistan, China and has Hindutva policies. The BJP party appeals more to businesses and the Hindu majority , 80% of Indians are Hindu, and has come under intense scrutiny due to marginalising of Muslim minority communities, even calling them ‘infiltrators’. The INC appeals more to minority groups and to the poorer communities. The BJP has been in power for two consecutive terms with Modi set to complete 15 years as Prime Minister in 2029. The INC formed a coalition opposition against the BJP with other parties, known as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance which was BJPs biggest competitor in the election . Any party or coalition needed a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.

Mallikarjun Kharge (leader of the INC) on the left, Nahendra Modi ( leader of the BJP on the right)

The voting system in the general election was extremely logistical as it spanned over all 28 states, the largest of which Uttar Pradesh spans an area in size larger than the UK. India’s election rules state that there must be a voting ballot within 2km of every residence, meaning that the 11 million electoral workers had a hard job on their hands, trekking up mountains and travelling to remote villages to provide a voice to the people. The voting was in seven phases, the last phase happened on the 1st of June. Voters went to the voting station, each protected by a guard and voted. They would then be marked with indelible ink, which is almost impossible to remove for two weeks, to ensure voting fraud doesn’t occur. This also creates incentives for people to vote, as they may feel embarrassed or left out if they don’t have the signature purple mark on their nail.

Women voters played a significant role in this election with 312 million women voting, closing the gender gap between male and women voters which was once wide. There has been a strong focus on encouraging women to vote in both the 2019 and 2024 elections with parties promising to address women’s welfare and policies introduced having improved political understanding and education among women. The increase in women voting is also due to improved literacy rates and more economic independence. Although the gender gap for voting has been closed, this can’t be said for the gender gap for political candidates. A law passed required 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha to be assigned for only female candidates, similar to the reserved seats for minority castes and tribes which has been implemented, however this has not been implemented with only 74 seats of 543 won by women in the 2024 election. In general, there is a lack of representation with political parties nominating less women overall, only around 10%.

Although polls predicted that the BJP would win a majority like they did in 2019, BJP was slightly embarrassed. The BJP did win the most seats for the third consecutive time, 240, however fell short of a majority, only needing 32 more seats to gain it. They turned to their allies, mainly the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal United forming the National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) and a coalition government. The BJP lost votes in major states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal which is why they failed to gain the majority. In Uttar Pradesh, this is due to the party’s lack to fully address unemployment and the income/wealth inequality. India has an extremely young population, where around two fifths of its population are under the age of 25, they prioritise employment which the BJP has failed to address fully in its manifestos. Curiously, the BJP has been quite popular among the younger generations however this has declined slightly in this general election.

It is predicted that there will not be much change with foreign policy and we saw this at Modi’s swearing in ceremony when neighbouring countries' heads were invited except Pakistan’s and China’s. India is also determined to have strong relations with the US, which we can see from Modi and Trump’s relationship. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that Modi would still be going forward with his initiative to make India a developed country by 2047 so it is predicted that the economic policies of investments in infrastructure and manufacturing will not change. What is likely to change however are the Hindutva policies as both the TDP and the JDU’s constituents are more secular and have minority groups. Political instability may also follow with issues already arising over the number of coalition members of Non BJP parties in cabinet, only five. The question that now arises is:’ Will the coalition government be successful and will India achieve developed country status by 2047 as Modi claims?’

A balloon popping into a symphony of throaty dolphin laughs,

sharp high pitched shrieks,

All uncontrollable,

I can see myself in the mirror as it happens,

Watch my body frozen in the warps of the glass, eyes glazed,

But I keep laughing,

Make eye contact with a friend and a flood crashes out from within,

Till my chest aches slightly and glimmers of tears bedazzle my cheeks,

We stop once lessons start,

Faces adorned in a serene mask,

It makes me wish I could have recorded the laughter,

Pure concentrated laughter to play on days of worry, sadness,

An echo of energy, a tangible reminder of what lies after,

The call of laughter.

…………. ……….. ………… …..

Copyright ©️ [2026] [Ananya Padhi]. Please subscribe if you like this poem or any of my previous articles

Hope you enjoy❤️ Along with the language I used, I also utilised enjambment to emphasise the intensity and power of happiness.

Ananya🩷

blue ooze leaking out,

swathing the streets in a fevered haze,

….. ……….. … ……. ……. ………. ………………

I step from the iron monster into the arteries of the city,

Clogged with sordid secrets,

Windows are half-fogged, full- formed boundaries,

Distorting the shapes of the people they house,

Until they are unrecognisable,

Alleys try to whisper but burst out coughing,

And my memories refuse to join this discordant symphony.

….. ……….. … ……. ……. ………. ………………

The darkness at least welcomes me eagerly,

Inviting me into its depths only to suddenly press in,

Shadow’s fingers try to stitch together the limp threads of who I am,

They only braid a yearning for myself,

My identity to return to me,

But Memory itself retreats,

My memory and I,

Are two alike poles destined for an eternity of broken hope,

Separated through repulsion,

Forever married in a dance of suffering.

….. ……….. … ……. ……. ………. ………………

Memory alone should not define me,

But deep within the longing remains unsatiated,

And so I take the steps up to an inn,

The city couldn’t help me in my quest,

Maybe its inhabitants could.

… .. ……………………………………..

I just wanted to edit this poem to give some background..

I wrote this poem in a fantasy world where a women lost her memory. I tried to capture a tension between the two conflicting natures of the city: a hostile, corrupting force and yet one so bent on fixing the women. Does the women need to be fixed?

Another update: I submitted this poem in for a comp and won! Yay! Thanks for supporting my channel and please sub or share with those who you think will like it if you can.

Bye🩷

An economic shock is defined as a sudden, large-scale event that disrupts the economy unexpectedly. It can be split into three subsections: supply shocks such as natural disasters or worker strikes, demand shocks such as recessions and financial shocks such as stock market crashes or banking crises. In our globalised reality where countries are increasingly interconnected, shocks can be spread across the globe at an alarmingly fast rate and with severe repercussions. The concept of globalisation has existed for millennia but historians argue that modern form of globalisation first started during the British Industrial Revolution and accelerated in the post World War Two period but now more than ever, countries are more vulnerable to external economic shocks.

Trade links are a significant factor leading to the international transmission of economic shocks especially in developed markets. In most developed economies the tertiary sector predominates, as an example the UK the tertiary sector accounts for 80% of the GDP and it is heavily reliant on other countries for its goods. As per the office of National Statistics the UK imported £619.9 billion (20.46% of GDP) of merchandise goods in the twelve month period ending in October 2025, fully demonstrating our interdependency on other countries and the extent of our trade links. While trade links allow economies to access resources and new markets, they also mean shocks can also travel through these connections.. In 2011, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, disrupting car and electronics production leading to global shortages in automotive chips, a significant supply shock. This led to a rise in car prices across the globe as all car manufactures struggled with component availability. If companies diversify their trade partners however, this can limit disruption as production can be shifted to another country, effectively aiding in combatting international transmission of supply shocks.

Demand shocks, price changes or reduced demand in one country can aid international transmission of economic shocks, rippling across the world and affecting multiple economies. In 2001, after the hijacking of multiple planes in America and the Twin Towers attack, there was a sharp decline in demand for commercial flights. This led to an approximate sixty billion dollar loss for US airlines by 2005 as a result of this sudden loss in demand. US airlines had to sack tens of thousands of employees and survive on government aid, need for components or new airplanes was non-existent leading to a loss of income and subsequent lack of employment in the aircraft manufacturing industry across the world. It took almost five years for the global aircraft manufacturing sector to recover from the demand shock caused by the 9/11 attacks in the US.

International transmission of economic shocks caused by financial market disruptions can be extremely rapid. This makes it difficult for governments to stabilise their economies as the economies become highly sensitive to external financial developments. Panicked selling, falling asset prices and capital outflows driven by economic shock can exacerbate the crisis by weakening banks and reducing lending, further harming the economy and highlighting the bidirectional relationship between international transmission of shocks and the economic shock itself. The 2008 financial crisis is a relevant example where the US Wall Street crash driven by its housing bubble, caused not only mortgage backed assets in the US to drop sharply leading to bankruptcies in the US but also affected the global financial system. The US is the world’s largest financial market, many foreign investors and European banks held many of these assets and were massively impacted, spreading the crisis across the US borders. It took the world approximately 3-4 years to recover from a financial shock originating in the US.

Finally, large transnational companies (TNCs) also play a major part in the international transmission of economic shock due to the fact they operate across borders so their global operations are vulnerable. If an economic shock occurs in a country where the TNC operates it will often slow or shut down its work. This can lead to a loss of jobs in the country and since a TNC sells products globally, this could affect suppliers, employees and governments abroad.TNCs often invest FDIs (foreign direct investments) providing a source of employment and income in developing countries. A shock in one country can reduce TNC investment abroad as investment may seem a riskier option. This slows growth in the host country due to the loss of tax revenue and the potential migration of workers looking for jobs. It can also destabilise local economies who were reliant on this source of capital. Although TNCs can amplify shocks due to their large size and interconnectedness, they can also mitigate shocks by diversifying operations and allowing companies to shift production to less affected countries, options not possible to us without globalisation.

To conclude,countries can limit the international transmissions from economic shocks by diversifying both trade partners and companies they invest in. By avoiding overreliance on a narrow range of markets,we can hope to combat the international transmissions by reducing exposure to external economic events. Furthermore, effective cross country communication and cooperation can allow governments to share information, policy responses and address emerging risks to avoid escalating into a further crisis. Finally, the usage of fiscal and monetary policies such as keeping a manageable public debt and controlling inflation can also aid governments in responding effectively when shocks occur. Managing the international transmission of economic shocks is possible depending on the intent of the actors in power to utilise globalisation as a weapon against international transmission of economic shocks rather than a conduit for the transmission.

The clashing clamour of traffic hushes,

Mesmerised by the soft glow it casts,

A faint soothing lullaby,

Easing the stress of the day with silver streams.

……………………………..

When the moon rises,

It summons a legion of stars

To bedazzle the rich velvet night sky,

Eagerly the stars burst out,

No longer subdued by daylight,

They are radiant in their freedom,

Beautiful and burning.

……………………………………………

When the moon looks down,

It drafts a sonnet in its mind,

For his love unspoken,

His love for the slumbering city,

His role as the guardian of dreams,

Fierce protector against nightmares,

Against all consuming dark.

…………………………………………..

While the humans may sleep,

The moon just smiles.

………………………………………………………..

When the moon begins to drift off,

The greedy fingers of exhaustion tugging,

The stars begin to retreat,

Leaving silver stardust streaks,

Forged from dreams so called impossible,

Never lost, yet never found,

Dwelling in the dark mansion of the stars.

………………………………. …………………………………….

Copyright ©️ [2026] [Ananya Padhi]. Please subscribe if you like this poem or any of my previous articles

Hope you enjoy,

Ananya ❤️

Truth is often thought of as something fixed but in reality, truth is usually discovered through questioning and so thus is a constantly evolving theory. In scientific research, new discoveries are often discovered when people doubt existing knowledge and search for better ones. Without doubt, knowledge would stagnate as we would lack a drive of curiosity and imagination, simply believing the first option we see as true. This can be incredibly dangerous in social media, encouraging misinformation to spread as we take things at face value.

Socrates promoted the Socratic method, a system of questioning designed to uncover truth through rigorous critical thinking. His philosophy reflected ideas around truth not being given to us but rather earned through humility and persistent doubt He stated that an ‘ unexamined life is not worth living’, suggesting that doubt isn’t a sign of weakness rather one of intellectual prowess. Moderate doubt itself can be seen as a symbol of creativity, encouraging to think more deeply and to imagine a better future. Doubt doesn’t destroy creativity, but rather allows it to grow, strengthening it and fostering a unique sense of curiosity which is fundamentally human.

In addition, truth can be influenced by human psychology. People often prefer comforting truths rather than difficult realities demonstrating that truth is not always objective. Doubt can prevent individuals from lying to themselves or putting too much thought into these untruths. On the other hand, too much doubt can lead to anxiety and trust issues between people and reliable knowledge. Therefore truth and doubt exist in a precarious balance, with doubt acting both as a protective force and a challenger to human understanding.

On the other hand, doubt allows the rise of subjective truth, allowing people to have individuality in their opinions. It encourages individuals to interpret the world through personal experience rather than accepting a single fixed reality. Thus without doubt, people might believe there is only one absolute truth and ignore the complexities. While this may weaken absolute truth, it promotes debate, facilitating examination around laws, moral values and social ideas, ultimately leading to a refinement of them.Similarly Nietzsche argued that absolute truth did not exist suggesting that truth is shaped by culture and perspective, all fostered by doubt and leading to subjective truth.

In conclusion, doubt strengthens subjective truth by encouraging interpretation, while it only strengthens objective truth when it leads to evidence based testing rather than blind skepticism of objective truths. They exist in a precarious balance. Both truth and doubt have a bidirectional strengthening and testing relationship, which can be secured by intellectual curiosity. Truth is only truth once it has been tested.

The pools paint the street in a thin layer of silver,

Like craters on the moon,

Grasping their treasure close to their core,

Memories untarnished by the flux of time.

A shiver snakes up your spine,

Leaves a sweet aftertaste of your youth,

Childhood floods back to you,

Scenes of muddy puddles,

Neon yellow uniform, ready to attack the boggy streets,

Emerging victorious,

Holding up our mud streaked cheeks.

An impulse strikes,

You roll up your sleeves,

Loosen your tie and let your hair down,

You place a foot down, savouring the cold rush,

And run.

Run like an astronaut exploring,

Through land that feels like a stranger beneath you,

You are alone in the space,

Eventually stopping for a precious breath of oxygen,

You look down and see a girl,

Dimple flashing, eyes sparkling,

Cheeks a flush,

Smiling up at you.

Copyright ©️ [2026] [Ananya Padhi]. Please subscribe if you like this poem or any of my previous articles

A pound was the networth of our friendship,

A painstaking hour stringing beads,

All the pink pearls worthless in our eyes,

They merged together,

A highlighter bleeding rose ink onto the thread,

A flash of gold broke through the blushing monotony,

Half a golden heart hung,

Its comforting weight was a reminder,

A reminder of countless pizza playdates,

The sleepover with spilled popcorn and hyper sugar rush,

Connected, the hearts would reflect back our smiling faces,

Our own little camera since the beginning,

A searing sharp heartbreak each time we were pushed apart.

…………………………………………………..

We grew older,

The thread began to fray,

Struggling to lift the hefty burden of the heart,

Strands of super glue imprisoned our fingers,

But even that couldn’t mend the broken,

The gold heart tarnished,

It failed to warn us of the awkward silence that crept up on us slyly,

Catching us unaware at every meetup,

We grew taller,

The bracelet began to dig in,

Unmercilessly crushing,

Rusted manacles that weighed me down with every step, every breath,

One day it rebelled against the growing pressure,

The bracelet snapped, a silent scream,

The beads scattered like the words unspoken between us,

As if someone had sprayed pink garish graffiti everywhere,

In the explosion of colour,

The heart was snatched,

Claimed by the dark corner under the sofa,

I had to go to school,

The heart is left alone, alone for the first time in seven years.

Its weight now a shallow echo of laughter,

Leaving the thread sordid in the depths of the dustbin,

A quiet reminder of what we could no longer share,

of a friendship slipped out of our hands,

like beads spilling from an untied bracelet

Leaving their story on a cliff hanger, unfinished and forgotten.

Copyright ©️ [2026] [Ananya Padhi]. Please subscribe if you like this poem or any of my previous articles

A dark stormy day, a not so perfect beach day,

Bare feet struggle to keep balance,

The tumultuous sand goes on the offensive,

Attacking me with shell shards,crusted clamshells.

But this unrelentless creature seems to be protecting something too.

A humming sensation travels up me,

Misty words all merged together in a cultish chorus,

High pitched shrieks, gruff mutterings, all crying together,

Sharing the secrets of their past, echoes which time has lost,

Shrouded in their stone and buried deep underfoot,

Every fine line, every serene imperfection cast forever,

Time turned its back on them, their voices,

But nature captured them forever in an ethereal locket,

It opens with a soft click,

To reveal the ghosts of fierce monsters,

Allosaurus who once prowled the earth beneath our designer shoes,

T-Rex drank from the plentiful rivers, hunted by the banks,

The lockets enchant us, spinning their beguiling stories of lives past,

They aren’t the only ones,

With every cold shock carried by a wave, it communicates a clear message,

The wind howls, barking out its order eagerly,

Commanding you to listen, to admire, to reflect on

the Ballad of Fossils.

Copyright ©️ [2026] [Ananya Padhi]. Please subscribe if you like this poem or any of my previous articles

Left a shimmering stain of tears behind,

As it cracked and cried,

Deep jagged scars crawling rapidly across,

Unhealing although people would attempt,

Try with dollar store tape,

Cheap sticky glue,

But when you look down into it,

When you smile,

It smiles while holding back tears.

……………………………………………………………

Copyright ©️ [2026] [Ananya Padhi]. Please subscribe if you like this poem or any of my previous articles