6 Comments
Aug 29, 2022Liked by Rurik Skywalker

Speaking of Katyusha... Did you see this?

https://t.me/rocknrollgeopolitics/4540

Expand full comment
Aug 29, 2022Liked by Rurik Skywalker

«intellectuals were suddenly speaking in the language of revanchist ethnic nationalism»

It is important to note that V. Putin uses the language of "nationalism" but it is not "revanchist", but forward looking, and most importantly is is multi-etchnica, not ethnic. He is always careful to use language that makes the point that the Russian Federation is multi-ethnic, as is the RF military, even if because of history it is a russophone world.

This is very important for the RF because it one way to fight "prometheism", the attempt to break up the RF along ethnic lines.

«distancing herself from the Liberal, Western-imposed system of the 90s»

It was not quite “Western-imposed»: in the 1990s the collapse of the USSR economy was so enormous that ex-USSR member states were willing to try anything, from murderous medieval tyrannies (in some of the stans) to fascist gangsterism (Ukraine) to Pinochet style ultra-neoliberalism (baltics).

In political terms the "Washington Consensus" is all about the USA "supporting" and protecting the upper and upper-middle classes, and for them being so "protected" is a pretty good deal, they want it quite voluntarily.

Those who reject USA "protection" are the lower-middle and lower classes, see Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, which are left-wing on the economy.

«the key for the future “basification” of Russia lies in the military and the vets and the patriotic community riding a wave of popular support to start demanding changes.»

In the RF case right-wingers need to be careful as to their positioning: if they want to be right-wing on values, they must be left-wing on the economy, because the upper and upper-middle classes are right-wing on the economy and for them that is more important than any values. BTW the Donbas are an example, where they are patriotic and traditionalist on values, and leftist on the economy.

It may really annoy some RF right-wingers, but if they want to fight the neoliberal elites they need to fight neoliberalism, and adopt at least part of "sovok" politics, and be at least social-democratic and a bit socialist on the economy.

«And the elite, for whom this war of civilizations is an unfortunate mistake, because there is no Russia for them. They lived in the West, considering us stupid rogues and savages, and continue to mentally live there.»

Again, it may look like that it is about culture and mentality, but it is really about interests. They regard the lower classes of the RF not so much as “stupid rogues and savages” but as economic rivals and want USA "protection" against the threat of social-democratic and socialist policies arising from below (the same as the "Washington Consensus" elites).

Expand full comment

The article suggests that life is pretty good for most Russians. Things have to be bleak before the working and the middle classes rise up

Expand full comment

Unfortunately, there are always quislings at the rear of the battlefront. They need to be identified as such and dealt with accordingly. Tough to do. The Deep State exists in all nations.

Expand full comment

If only the USA would deal with their fakes and liberal backstabbers as well as Russia is doing! We would all be better off.

Expand full comment