Photo credit (edited), fair use
I wish I’d paid more attention during my high school economics class. However, I behaved in an ornery fashion at the time and didn’t learn an invaluable lesson about supply and demand. For those who may’ve also missed out on this fundamental message, consider what one source says:
The law of supply and demand is based on two other economic laws: the law of supply and the law of demand. The law of supply says that when prices rise, companies see more profit potential and increase the supply of goods and services. The law of demand states that as prices rise, customers buy less.
Theoretically, a free market will move toward an equilibrium quantity and price where supply and demand intersect. At that point, supply exactly matches the demand — suppliers produce just enough of a good or service, at the right price, to satisfy everyone’s demands.
To use a generic example, imagine that Company Y (CY) sold a widget for $8 in 2023. Raising the price of a slightly similar model to $10 in 2024, the law of supply states that CY will increase the supply of widgets when anticipating higher profit potential.
However, the law of demand states that as CY raises the price of its slightly modified widget, customers will buy fewer of the new widgets. In theory, the balancing of supply and demand would then result in an outcome which satisfies both elements of supply and demand.
Therefore, CY may release a somewhat revised widget that sells for $9 in 2025. Of course, this is a theoretical example. Not always does real life function in accordance with economic theories.
For instance, anyone familiar with how Apple addresses supply and demand, in regard to various iterations of iPhones, likely understands that if demand is extraordinarily high people will pay virtually any price for a product. Thus, Apple can control price by creating demand.
Creative marketing strategies influence social demand, thereby increasing the amount of money customers will pay for iPhones. This social and economic interplay relates to socioeconomic processes which impact a free market economy.
Similarly, a simple supply and demand relationship can be observed in a sociopolitical landscape that isn’t necessarily related to socioeconomic matters. Social and political interplay of this sort is something about which I learned when serving in the Marine Corps.
In specific, when serving under the authority of the Department of Deference, as a Marine Security Guard, I was cross-trained and attached to the Department of State. Serving diplomatic missions abroad, I became familiar with the Central Intelligence Agency (“the Agency”).
At that time, I observed how the Agency artificially created demand in South American countries where I was stationed in order to utilize its on-hand supply of information. Forgive me for being vague herein, as some scenarios I witnessed require a careful approach.
Hypothetically speaking, suppose that the Agency had a supply of information about country X’s preferred political opponent. “Preferred by whom?” you may ask. In this example, the United States (U.S.) prefers candidate Y over candidate Z regarding the presidency of country X.
Using a sociopolitical supply and demand strategy, the Agency could influence demand in country X to meet its abundant supply of information about candidate Y. “How could this be accomplished?” you may ask. Through PSYOP.
According to one source, “Psychological operations (PSYOP) are operations to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their motives and objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and large foreign powers.”
In this hypothetical example, the Agency would manipulate a market (country X) through strategically released supply (information) in order to create demand for candidate Y instead of candidate Z. This is a different function than socioeconomic supply and demand.
Theoretically, economics favors an equilibrium quantity and price where supply and demand intersect. However, from a sociopolitical perspective, balance may be a distant goal once candidate Y is either installed or democratically elected through artificial manipulation.
In the meantime, stability isn’t expected. In fact, unsteadiness is the tool used within country X to drive demand. With the release of additional on-hand information (supply), the more unstable the nation becomes. When this happens, the greater a demand grows for candidate Y.
The promise of equilibrium then hinges on the nomination and eventual election of the preferred candidate regarding the U.S. Does what I’m suggesting herein sound like a so-called conspiracy theory to you?
If so, you’ve already been influenced by the Agency’s propaganda (supply of information), as this term has been used as a PSYOP to discredit people and ideas which are antithetical to actions taken by the Agency. Therefore, I don’t blame you for your healthy skepticism.
Had I not had the misfortune of working adjacent to members serving the Agency, I likely wouldn’t have believed that the U.S. intelligence (“intel”) agencies were using PSYOP campaigns against populations of the world. All the same, this is indeed what occurs.
Perhaps more concerning is that it isn’t only the Agency that uses PSYOP to influence people, because other intel bureaus and agencies also tinker with supply and demand. And yes, this occurs in regard to propaganda used against the U.S. citizenry. Per one source:
The Committee on the Judiciary, its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence have revealed how, in the final weeks before the 2020 presidential election, 51 former intelligence officials coordinated with the Biden campaign to discredit serious allegations about Biden family influence peddling.
For context, one October 19, 2020 source reported, “More than 50 former intelligence officials signed a letter casting doubt on the provenance of a New York Post story on the former vice president’s son.” That supplied disinformation plausibly created a demand for Biden’s presidency.
Now, as the Harris campaign is in full swing, one source reports, “More than 700 national security leaders and former military officials publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president in a letter released on Sunday, calling her a candidate who ‘defends America’s democratic ideals.”
A number of Mockingbird media sources have disseminated this intel supply, presumably to create demand for a Harris presidency. Perhaps 51 intel officials wasn’t enough, albeit sufficient to have possibly swung public favor for Biden, as over 700 members are now being used for Harris.
The aforementioned Harris endorsement comes from the National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A). The supply in search of a demand letter from NSL4A states in part:
This election is a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Vice President Harris defends America’s democratic ideals, while former President Donald Trump endangers them.
Attempts to remove Trump from ballots, use of lawfare in an apparent attempt to keep him from being able to run for president, continuous ad hominem attacks used against him by the corporate media, and not one but two assassination attempts haven’t proven successful, so now intel members take their proverbial shot?
I guess I’m broke, because I’m not buying whatever’s being sold through this PSYOP campaign. With hope, U.S. citizens who value logic and reason will also be able to see past this thinly-veiled supply of information that is ostensibly used to drive demand for the preferred candidate of intel actors.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
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At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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Central Intelligence Agency. (1996, June 14). JFK assassination system identification form. Internet Archive. Retrieved from https://ia800705.us.archive.org/30/items/COUNTERINGCRITICISMOFTHEWARRENREPORT/COUNTERING%20CRITICISM%20OF%20THE%20WARREN%20REPORT.pdf
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