Beautifully written and presented article. Obviously very well researched.
Of interest here because it connects to my concept of two prison scenarios that seriously confront us today. This article has brought to the surface an extended viewpoint on the world’s relationships.
The personal prison that constrains us for many different and sometimes multiple reasons. Partly in the mind because we are equipped with the facility of choice but do not always feel free to excercise the power. Partly environmental from outside real constraining or restraining factors. We are probably all aware of our own personal “prison” situations to some degree or other.

Then there is a more general prison extant. The political oppression that exists globally in very many variants and degrees. It affects individuals, different social groups and countries as a whole. This can be financial, varying from real and serious destitution through to some petty selfish desire for something unattainable. It can be caused by physical warfare. Government regulation, direct or brainwashing influence constitutes a large part of our “prison” environment.

So many people are indeed imprisoned in these ways and some are not even aware that that is their plight.