Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe by Niall Ferguson review
(Evening Standard) – From plagues and volcanic eruptions to the current Covid pandemic, mankind has always been faced with catastrophes.
Thought Leader: Niall Ferguson
Laurence Mussio: What Opera Reveals About Our Economic Future
Using Verdi’s Rigoletto as a lens, Laurence B. Mussio examines Canada’s growing pattern of quiet economic surrender—from the steady sale of major enterprises to foreign ownership to the accelerating emigration of top talent. The opera’s central theme of complicity becomes a metaphor for a nation that tells itself it can serve external power structures while safeguarding its own future.
The piece argues that the real risk is not overt collapse, but gradual erosion: decision-making authority leaving, institutional memory fading, and ambition relocating abroad. Introducing the concept of “mnemonic capital,” it contends that a country’s long-term strength depends on preserving not just jobs, but judgment, headquarters functions, and the ability to shape its own strategic direction.
Rather than advocating protectionism, the article calls for stewardship—ensuring that what is inherited is cultivated and transmitted. The central question it poses is stark: if the curse is already unfolding, will Canada recognize it in time to reclaim its voice?
Dr. Laurence B. Mussio is a strategic historian and trusted advisor to CEOs who helps leaders make sense of today’s volatile geopolitical and economic landscape. Known for his ability to connect historical patterns to modern disruptions—from AI and trade shocks to institutional and market realignments—he brings clarity to moments of uncertainty.
As Chair of the Long Run Institute and a senior advisor to global executives, Dr. Mussio combines rigorous insight with engaging storytelling, offering audiences not just analysis, but a sharper strategic lens for navigating what comes next. To learn more, contact us today.
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