This is an outstanding piece. Very probing and illuminates what it means to champion democratic values – differentiating populist and unpopulist values. The author writes: “Despite… the polarizing temptations of wartime, he has resisted the populist impulse to frame ethnic Russians, whether in Ukraine or Russia, as ‘the enemy.’”
“Despite an obvious opportunity to demonize the country’s ethnic minorities, he speaks of Ukraine’s ethnic Russians with care, tolerance and fair-mindedness.”
This article itself is very fair-minded, written with care, which means it makes important distinctions that help us understand this important issue more deeply. It is hugely engaging and insightful. THANK YOU!
THank you for your Thank You. I'm sure it was more than "Some days" in the making!! IT takes a lot of time to write truly thoughtful and yet clear essays!
I have found President Zelenskyy very impressive, far beyond what anyone had any right to expect. With his typical informed judicious clarity, Tom helped me understand what makes him so.
Really? Zelenskyy is almost as corrupt as Putin, because Ukraine as a nation-state is almost as corrupt, and actually, more corrupt. If this is liberal reformism, I'll remain a leftist.
I should write more about this for my political theory blog
A couple of things I want go mention. I do support the Ukrainian community, especially when it comes to development of democracy, economy and European integration. At the same time, I do not agree with statements that Zelensky leadership will "save" democracy nor "renew" liberalism.
There are several reasons such why that is the case. When it comes to democracy, it cannot only be defended but has to be renewed and promoted. This is why intellectuals as for example Appelbaum are focusing to much on defence instead of promoting new solutions, in the time of digitalisation and decentralisation. In Ukraine, the majority of the population support democracy but distrust political parties and see them as more or less corrupted organisations. There are also problems with Zelensky's movement, when it comes to oligarchs.
Regarding liberalism, one of the challenges for liberalism and liberals is how to to explain that our world today is even more complex and integrated than 30 years ago. Liberalism needs to operate and provide answers from local to global level, it is not enough to focus on the nation. In the case of Zelensky, his party has joined ALDE Party which already has member parties and politicians that are populist, corrupted and doing horrible things.
Thereby, my conclusion is that all active and other liberals should support Ukraine and also be careful and analytical when it comes to the Ukrainian political system, including Zelensky.
This is an outstanding piece. Very probing and illuminates what it means to champion democratic values – differentiating populist and unpopulist values. The author writes: “Despite… the polarizing temptations of wartime, he has resisted the populist impulse to frame ethnic Russians, whether in Ukraine or Russia, as ‘the enemy.’”
“Despite an obvious opportunity to demonize the country’s ethnic minorities, he speaks of Ukraine’s ethnic Russians with care, tolerance and fair-mindedness.”
This article itself is very fair-minded, written with care, which means it makes important distinctions that help us understand this important issue more deeply. It is hugely engaging and insightful. THANK YOU!
Thank you for your kind words, Sara. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It was some days in the making.
THank you for your Thank You. I'm sure it was more than "Some days" in the making!! IT takes a lot of time to write truly thoughtful and yet clear essays!
Thank you again. There's definitely a period of gestation. ...
I have found President Zelenskyy very impressive, far beyond what anyone had any right to expect. With his typical informed judicious clarity, Tom helped me understand what makes him so.
Thank you so much, Michael. I have learned much from your informed, judicious clarity as well.
Really? Zelenskyy is almost as corrupt as Putin, because Ukraine as a nation-state is almost as corrupt, and actually, more corrupt. If this is liberal reformism, I'll remain a leftist.
There are such problems. Plus, that Zelensky is more about "defending" certain values and current representative democracy system, not renewing enough. https://accidentaleuropean.com/tripadvisor-inspiration-for-our-digital-democracy/
I should write more about this for my political theory blog
A couple of things I want go mention. I do support the Ukrainian community, especially when it comes to development of democracy, economy and European integration. At the same time, I do not agree with statements that Zelensky leadership will "save" democracy nor "renew" liberalism.
There are several reasons such why that is the case. When it comes to democracy, it cannot only be defended but has to be renewed and promoted. This is why intellectuals as for example Appelbaum are focusing to much on defence instead of promoting new solutions, in the time of digitalisation and decentralisation. In Ukraine, the majority of the population support democracy but distrust political parties and see them as more or less corrupted organisations. There are also problems with Zelensky's movement, when it comes to oligarchs.
Regarding liberalism, one of the challenges for liberalism and liberals is how to to explain that our world today is even more complex and integrated than 30 years ago. Liberalism needs to operate and provide answers from local to global level, it is not enough to focus on the nation. In the case of Zelensky, his party has joined ALDE Party which already has member parties and politicians that are populist, corrupted and doing horrible things.
Thereby, my conclusion is that all active and other liberals should support Ukraine and also be careful and analytical when it comes to the Ukrainian political system, including Zelensky.
https://vladanlausevic.medium.com/renew-liberalism-renew-europe-renew-the-world-1ee9be6791a