This is part of the problem. That feeling of unexamined moral superiority that I am much afraid will lead to the downfall of western liberalism, its replacement with local fascists and all out war. But not enough people are willing to listen sadly.
Indeed, it was a rhetorical question. And it’s ok, I wasn’t expecting my comment to be well received, I was just hoping that at least some people reading this would ask themselves why Russia triggers Cold War reflexes and what those reflexes mean. I still hope for some diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine and the demonizing of one’s enemies only serves war.
I honestly don’t know why some on here seem to think that any criticism is a defense of Russia. I did not say anything in defense of Russia but assumptions were made regardless.
For what it’s worth, I agree that it’s a little shocking how simplistic people can be about goodies and baddies in this situation. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is abominable and democracy is far preferable to dictatorship. But “the free world” is a propaganda phrase traditionally used to polish up the image of US imperialism, so its use certainly has connotations of unreflectively identifying the USA and its allies as the goodies. And mass poisoning is not morally simple even in war. Meanwhile the “free world” is hurtling from plutocracy towards fascism while liberals congratulate themselves on their countries’ democracy. We’re not under a dictatorship yet but we’re not doing enough to fight it either, partly thanks to this liberal tendency to self-congratulation over the “free world”.
Exactly. As a liberal myself I feel strongly about certain things and am all too aware of that supposition of moral superiority and self righteousness that have been very characteristic of western liberalism. In the meantime, many countries in the “free world” are inching closer to authoritarianism by the day. Sure, Putin bad, but leaving some room for nuance would go a long way. The idea that one need only get rid of “bad actors” is flawed. Especially when at the very same time western powers are enabling what more and more people see as genocide in another part of the world. And the country that has brought a case against that in court is South Africa, The world is changing, the global south is rising, China is rising, Russia is also seeking to extend its influence and global cooperation is needed more than ever.
Thank god most of us have some sense and awareness to differentiate actions “in the name of the free world” from good and bad actors. Clearly this is from good actors as Putin is clearly an enemy of the free world. Saying otherwise means ignorance or being bad faith.
I think you will do well to do with less certainties and interrogate the very essence of the concept of the “free world”, a term introduced in the Cold War to demonize communism and basically any challenge to US hegemony. Unfortunately todays polemical and self righteous western liberalism plays right into the hands of the alt-right and fascists in more ways than one. I personally worry more for what is happening in the West right now than what is happening in Russia/Ukraine, because the West is a lot more powerful and is itching for a larger military confrontation, while liberalism continues to fail more frequently back home except in minor wins on identity politics. In this climate I find it disturbing when people dig up Cold War terminology to creat camps and draw lines in the sand.
You inferred it somehow and railed against what no one said. Many do, however, identify most closely with nations not ruled by an autocrat or dictator.
That the liberal countries are most likely to reject the invasion of another free country is not surprising and the “free world” is an apt descriptor for which countries are most likely to support Ukraine.
But “free world” doesn’t mean blameless. No one asserted that.
“The free world”? Seriously? It would help to not think of the world only in terms of heroes and villains.
Fascist sympathizers mad
Many atrocities have been committed in the name of the free world, but sure you guys keep with the circlejerk if that makes you feel morally superior
I do, in fact, feel morally superior to Russia and literally all of their allies, ty.
This is part of the problem. That feeling of unexamined moral superiority that I am much afraid will lead to the downfall of western liberalism, its replacement with local fascists and all out war. But not enough people are willing to listen sadly.
You’re making way too many assumptions and I think that’s part of why you’re not being well received.
Can you examine your own certainty and superior tone when, to my knowledge, you haven’t asked a real question yet? You seem just know.
And, no, you initial exclamation having question marks just makes it an incredulous exclamation. Not a question.
Indeed, it was a rhetorical question. And it’s ok, I wasn’t expecting my comment to be well received, I was just hoping that at least some people reading this would ask themselves why Russia triggers Cold War reflexes and what those reflexes mean. I still hope for some diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine and the demonizing of one’s enemies only serves war.
Why would a former soviet state invading another soviet state cause cold war reflexes to be triggered?
I, on the other hand, don’t approve of nations attacking other nations, whether it be America attacking Afghanistan or Russia attacking Ukraine
So, why are you defending a country who is attacking another?
I honestly don’t know why some on here seem to think that any criticism is a defense of Russia. I did not say anything in defense of Russia but assumptions were made regardless.
For what it’s worth, I agree that it’s a little shocking how simplistic people can be about goodies and baddies in this situation. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is abominable and democracy is far preferable to dictatorship. But “the free world” is a propaganda phrase traditionally used to polish up the image of US imperialism, so its use certainly has connotations of unreflectively identifying the USA and its allies as the goodies. And mass poisoning is not morally simple even in war. Meanwhile the “free world” is hurtling from plutocracy towards fascism while liberals congratulate themselves on their countries’ democracy. We’re not under a dictatorship yet but we’re not doing enough to fight it either, partly thanks to this liberal tendency to self-congratulation over the “free world”.
Exactly. As a liberal myself I feel strongly about certain things and am all too aware of that supposition of moral superiority and self righteousness that have been very characteristic of western liberalism. In the meantime, many countries in the “free world” are inching closer to authoritarianism by the day. Sure, Putin bad, but leaving some room for nuance would go a long way. The idea that one need only get rid of “bad actors” is flawed. Especially when at the very same time western powers are enabling what more and more people see as genocide in another part of the world. And the country that has brought a case against that in court is South Africa, The world is changing, the global south is rising, China is rising, Russia is also seeking to extend its influence and global cooperation is needed more than ever.
There’s an instance called hexbears which really likes hot takes like this one.
I am not very interested in echo chambers, thanks.
People here aren’t really interested in your takes either.
Thank god most of us have some sense and awareness to differentiate actions “in the name of the free world” from good and bad actors. Clearly this is from good actors as Putin is clearly an enemy of the free world. Saying otherwise means ignorance or being bad faith.
I think you will do well to do with less certainties and interrogate the very essence of the concept of the “free world”, a term introduced in the Cold War to demonize communism and basically any challenge to US hegemony. Unfortunately todays polemical and self righteous western liberalism plays right into the hands of the alt-right and fascists in more ways than one. I personally worry more for what is happening in the West right now than what is happening in Russia/Ukraine, because the West is a lot more powerful and is itching for a larger military confrontation, while liberalism continues to fail more frequently back home except in minor wins on identity politics. In this climate I find it disturbing when people dig up Cold War terminology to creat camps and draw lines in the sand.
You should type more words , that’ll definitely make Putin less shit.
Crimea has been occupied since 2014, which means it is not free.
No one said “free world is blameless.”
You inferred it somehow and railed against what no one said. Many do, however, identify most closely with nations not ruled by an autocrat or dictator.
That the liberal countries are most likely to reject the invasion of another free country is not surprising and the “free world” is an apt descriptor for which countries are most likely to support Ukraine.
But “free world” doesn’t mean blameless. No one asserted that.