You may have read in recent Free Update articles the discussion of "social mood" as the driving force behind market trends and our culture at large. This idea was first proposed by Elliott Wave International's president Robert Prechter. He called the new science socionomics (not to be confused with socioeconomics) and for several years now, Bob and our friends at The Socionomics Institute have successfully applied it to predicting cultural changes.
Socionomics suggests that social mood changes first, and the events follow. That's the complete opposite of the conventional idea of causality, which suggests that news and events affect how people feel. You can learn more at socionomics.net, but to just give you an example of how insightful the socionomic approach can be, consider the following.
In "The Wave Principle of Human Social Behavior," Prechter's ground-breaking book on socionomics (and his "most important book, by far"), Bob writes that, "A waxing negative social mood appears to correlate with a collective increase in discord, exclusion, anger, fear, opposition, protectionism, defensiveness, pessimism, restriction," and other similar traits.
In other words, negative shared emotions dominate the society once social mood turns negative.
Well, if you've been following the news, you know that discontent and discord are spreading. International and domestic strife is reflecting a darkening social mood.
Discord
Consider the current tension between Israel and the United States, as Israel announced plans to build 1600 housing units in east Jerusalem. One long-time political observer said the relationship between the two countries is the worst it's been in over four decades. And we're friends with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated in late March his country's right to defend itself. Besides terrorist groups, front and center is a potential nuclear Iran.
U.S.-China relationships have seen one fissure after another lately. Issues include on-going trade tensions, the Google censorship controversy, Taiwan arms sales, and Chinese displeasure over Obama meeting with the Dali Lama. On March 24, a report said Go Daddy Group will stop offering .cn domain registrations in China. Plus, headlines keep reminding us about American jobs being lost to China.
Danger & Discontent
The New York Times reported on March 30 that "Nine members of a Michigan-based Christian militia group have been indicted on sedition and weapons charges in connection with an alleged plot to murder law enforcement officers in hopes of setting off an antigovernment uprising."
Friction between Congressmen and protestors was evident on the weekend of the health care bill vote. A propane gas line was cut at the home of a Virginia U.S. Congressman's brother shortly after the vote. Michigan U.S. Congressman Stupak was called a "baby killer" on the House floor by another Congressman after Stupak decided to vote in favor of the health care bill. Stupak said he's gotten nasty calls at home in the middle of the night. Even Republican Congressman Eric Cantor received threats. A March 30 USA Today article reads: "The FBI...charged a Philadelphia man with threatening to kill a House Republican leader, the latest outburst against members of Congress in the wake of the health care debate." So, the issue of personal safety has come to the fore for lawmakers. Discontent is palpable.
Division
On March 9, Chief Justice John Roberts commented on the chiding the Supreme Court took from President Obama during the State of the Union about the Court's decision on a campaign finance case. While saying he had no problem with general criticism of court decisions, Roberts said: "The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court -- according the requirements of protocol -- has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling."
Last month, a South Carolina state representative introduced a bill to ban federal currency use in the state -- replacing it with gold and silver coins. As we know from American history, South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union in December, 1860...
The list goes on.
Incidentally, the threat of secessions to the U.S. is the main topic of The Socionomics Institute's February Socionomist, their monthly publication. The March issue tells you about a universal concept you will also likely find fascinating.
The Socionomist makes its forecasts by taking into account the potential of dramatic change in social mood directly ahead of us. You may find some of the conclusions far-reaching; they do call for an open mind. Are you ready for a mind-expanding experience? Then see the March and February Socionomists online now via this instant-access subscription offer.