Part 1: https://jjplace.co.uk/?p=322
Part 3: jjplace.co.uk/?p=344
Dear readers: Apologies for the delay in this and general content. Life is busy and I do this all for free. However, I hope to get the ball rolling more frequently now I am settled again in Ukraine for the time being.
This is part two following on from the previous post I made where I explained the issue of polarisation and the need for unity. I explained why we must listen to the other side, the reasonable side, to find unity. This post will explain how to speak to your audience. I will outline some brief arguments to utilise to support Ukraine in this time, but also, general advice to speak to your audience.
First, the question is, why speak to your audience? Ultimately, it comes down to the matter of language. I often like this example and used it before, but it is important to do so again. The word ‘freedom’ can mean many different things to different people. A leftist, a liberal, a libertarian, an anarchist, a marxist, etc. will all have their ideas of what freedom means. We have terminologies and language, which have shared meanings for different groups. If you tend to agree more with one ideological perspective, over another, you will most likely identify with their terms and conceptions, rather than others.
Additionally, and arguably more importantly, you understand how they think. You comprehend the values they hold, the arguments which can move them, and those which will not. Arguing about, say, the benefits of EU membership as a European Social Democrat will not move a US libertarian. While you can find shared ideas, the value of self-determination, the right to associate freely as a nation, the belief in core rights and freedoms, some arguments will not resonate universally. While I argue later we have to identify these core, shared rights, I am here talking about the unshared arguments. If you are a pro-Ukraine, US libertarian, however, you know how your fellow travellers think, and can work to convince them better.
So, now, I will outline different arguments which can work well, which are easy to understand, for different perspectives. Now, you may say, “Joe, but you have your own convictions, how can you convince others?”. A reasonable question. But, well, I study political philosophies, ideologies, and ideas. I have also drifted all over the political spectrum in my life, and I watch what works and what doesn’t. Plus, if you disagree with my arguments, then I’m glad I’ve got you thinking about it at least. Someone has to try, right?
What I find interesting is that these arguments are quite easy. They seem reasonable, and you may be surprised by them. If you assume all X ideological people can’t agree with you, well, you’ll be surprised. Plus, we all know, many people across the political spectrum do support Ukraine. Examine what they say, and find your allegiances, but that’s for the next post.
The Leftist Case for Supporting Ukraine
Ukraine is a sovereign nation, which has been historically, brutally oppressed by an imperialistic neighbour. Russia, whether via the Tsarist empire, under authoritarians under the guise of communism such as Stalin, or post-USSR under Putin, has often sought to oppress the people of Ukraine and many of its neighbours and internal ethnic minorities. While you may think fondly of periods of the USSR as a unified land of different nations and peoples, you cannot discount the Holodomor, russificiation of culture and language, deportations of minorities including Tatars, Balts, Jews, Qazaqhs, and many others. Ukraine’s language was brutally oppressed particularly by Stalin, and now, it faces the same threat.
Even if you think fondly of the USSR, russia today is not the USSR. It is a wildly capitalist nation, deeply unregulated and corrupted, blending religious fascism with conservative values as excuses to oppress its own people and those abroad. It has corrupted western democracies with its money, it has violently attacked leftist movements who seek sovereignty abroad and internally, it cosies up with theocratic regimes such as Iran. It is a violent, far right, nation, with no intention of an equal and free society.
Now, Ukraine is facing genocidal actions at home, people are being forced to become russian citizens, their literature is literally being burned in the occupied territories, their language oppressed, their faiths attacked and russia will roll back the hard won rights Ukrainian leftists won for LGBT and unions, as they are far weaker in russia than they are in Ukraine. This is a continued imperialist attack on its former vassal state, starting when Yanukovych, Putin’s puppet who siphoned off the working people’s money in Ukraine to build a mansion with a gold toilet, animal farm, helicopters, and more.
Every pro-russian movement within Ukraine was and is deeply reactionary. They do not like migrants, LGBT people, they yearn only for the USSR because they hate the west, and they miss the old days where gays weren’t a think and minoriites knew their place. Their audience is not young leftists nad the working class, they are the disenfranchised pensioners and hateful, ran by rich oligarchs who merely wish to trade easily with russia and earn more money off corruption. They are not, revolutionary movements.
The actual leftist movements in Ukraine, just as in russia, know Putin is a monster. They fight against Putin, with arms, to defend the freedom of their people. Yes, many want a more left wing Ukraine, to strengthen worker rights, to expand LGBT rights, to limit marketisation and privatisation, however, they know everything will be far worse under russia. They also hark back to their own left wing tradition which historically is strong in Ukraine. Many of the early nationalist of Ukraine were in fact socialists or social democrats, supporting a multicultural Ukraine with worker rights and collectives, without an authoritarian state.
You may oppose NATO, the EU, or the Ukrainian state on the basis of either its relation to the USA or because you are generally anti-capitalist. However, Ukraine has aligned itself with the first two because of survival, as has much of Eastern Europe. It wouldn’t need to if russia wasn’t constantly trying to interfere with its sovereignty. If you oppose the state, because you either oppose capitalism or are an anarchist against the state, I urge you to look to the leftist and anarchist movements within Ukraine and even russia, who, again, oppose Putin’s war and are fighting against it. If you think a radical movement will do better under russia than in Ukraine, then you are woefully misinformed about russia’s oppression. Ukraine is a democracy. It isn’t perfect, but it is more free and democratic than russia, considerably.
Overall, the principles of leftism are sovereignty, self-determination, anti-imperialism, equality, and improved conditions for the working class. Every single of these are at odds with russia’s conquest and it must be resisted. It cannot be resisted with negotiations at this stage, weapons must be sent, to save lives and resist tyranny. Within a post-war Ukraine, there will be time to push for a more radical politics. But, first, fascists must be defeated.
The Anarchist Case for Supporting Ukraine
Note: Much of this overlaps with the leftist case, but, there are some nuances that will better resonate with anarchists.
The Ukrainian working class, and the marginalised groups and anarchist movements, are being hurt, losing homes, and killed, as a result of the russian invasion of Ukraine. While you may oppose the idea of the nation state, preferring a system of communes and/or highly decentralised bodies, over coercive and dominative structures of the state, the people who make up the state, who exist on the territories of said state, are at risk, and without aid, will die.
Any self-respecting anarchist should support the working class of former imperial powers. Especially when they fight back against imperial powers. While you may extend sympathy to the working class of all nations, including russia, right now, the working class in russia have a shared enemy, even if many do not realise it: the kremlin. Helping Ukraine defeat russia will help not only end an imperialistic work against the people of Ukraine, which threatens the already marginalised, which can empower oligarchs and corrupt business, and which would crush any anarchist movement if it could, which murders children as they sleep, it would help russian working classes be free of tyranny too.
It is not supporting NATO, the Ukrainian elite, the EU, or the state in general, to help Ukraine defend itself. While interests align, it doesn’t mean you should let Ukrainian people die and suffer purely because of ideological purity. Again, consider the anarchists of Ukraine and even Russia, who are all unified in fighting the Kremlin and its agents.
Historically, Russia, whether via the Tsarist empire, under authoritarians under the guise of communism such as Stalin, or post-USSR under Putin, has often sought to oppress the people of Ukraine and many of its neighbours and internal ethnic minorities. Ukraine’s language was brutally oppressed particularly by Stalin, and now, it faces the same threat. Anarchists have often supported postcolonial movements, even if they support some form of state and even if they have components that are ideologically opposed to anarchism i.e. Kurds, Zapatistas, etc. and why take exception to Ukraine?
While you may worry that perhaps helping Ukraine could empower western capitalist powers exert more control over Ukraine, or to rebuild and entrench the military industrial complex, or lead to further military conflict, undermining freedom for everyone, you fail to see the alternative. The victory of Russia will be considerably worse. Imagine an actual hot war with NATO, or a long running cold war? It would considerably risk many freedoms and give a justification for states to overstep many boundaries we find even within a liberal democracy.
You know you cannot reason with tyrants, that direct action is the strongest. Ukrainians are doing that. They do not want to wait and sit around, they fight back against an imperialist, authoritarian, far right aggressor. You have an obligation for solidarity.
The Conservative Case for Supporting Ukraine
Note, this is not for your absolutely insane, Qanon, flat earth, Alex Jones, Laurence Fox, MTG “Conservative” (which are all basically fascists, let’s be honest) but rather, your moderate, average conservative, who is not particularly ideological, sceptical of radical change, cautious about too much state interference (though they may take pride in certain state institutions), they are eager to be secure and have respect for the military and law and order in general. They may or may not be economically neoliberal, though these days most conservatives are worried about overspending, which is interesting, as it wasn’t always a big conservative concern, the same as religion. I will make a case that appeals in any situation.
Rule of law, order, stability, security. These are almost universally shared conservative values, regardless of what kind of conservative one is. Every single value is under threat by russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and by russia in general.
Russia has waived the rules based order of international law. It violated and violates the sovereignty of Ukraine, but also, Georgia, Moldova, it interfered in Belarus to keep Lukashenko in power despite the will of its revolutionary, pro-western people, and it bombs Syria daily to prop up a deeply anti-western leader. Even if you’re perhaps sceptical of international law, of bodies such as the UN, does not such reckless, violent behaviour from a large, rival of the west not worry you? This could also encourage other nations, such as China, to grow bolder, and pose a threat to the world. Then we are back to a world without rules, where nations do as they wish, and the west will struggle to address these challenges to freedom and democracy.
Russia consistently meddles in western politics, with dirty money connected to politicians, think tanks, business, and also, via interfering in the public sphere with disinformation and troll farms. The civility and unity has been eroded jn the west due to social media but also to media bubbles, to disinformation, all of which influenced by russia. It sabotages weapons plants, it meddles with radar, it shoots down planes, it cuts undersea cables. It violently is breaking the laws, and the sovereignty, of western nations.
This comes to the matter of security. Your, your family, and your nation’s security is at risk. Whether via threat of invasion, of meddling, of sewing discord and divides, or something else. Ukraine is defending itself, it is defending its freedom, it is fighting for its freedom against a larger foe, despite the cost, because it values its freedom, security ,and sovereignty (Here you can appeal to a national hero/legend who did this i.e USA the revolution). Helping Ukraine in this fight strengthens your security. As well as the other values at threat of stability, law and order, and generally freedom for all.
Putin has no care for your values, he is a criminal, former KGB agent, who despises everything you stand for now. He does not share traditional values, he uses them. He has mistresses, illegitimate children, has let aids and drug addiction flourish. His church is a front for the state, not an expression of faith, unlike in Ukraine, where priests are being murdered by russians, along with members of Judaism, Islam and other faiths.
Even if you do not care for the west (this argument applies to conservatives outside of Western EU or N.America), more wars, and the effects of a russian victory would come to you. It would undermine everything in the world, every nation, every single aspect of life would change, and your children will likely pay the price for an even more unstable world. Fighting back, now, is a way to ensure we can restore a world order of peace and stability. Even if you dislike aspects, do you want the alternative or instability, violence, and no law and order?
Perhaps you’re worried about the cost. Often the money comes back to you from aiding Ukraine via manufacturing and jobs. But, more importantly, the cost is far higher to not intervene. A russian victory in Ukraine could spread to other conflicts. It will embolden it. It could signal to China and others to start their own wars or encroach on the west. Who will this be good for? Would more crises in global supply chains be good? More food insecurity in the world? I do not think you want that. Furthermore, did Churchill worry about the financial cost? Did Reagan? Did __(insert your nation’s conservative idol). No. They knew democracy and freedom is worth fighting for no matter what.
Right now, we are at the precipice of a new world order. A Ukrainian victory would assure it for democracy, law, freedom, and peace. A russian victory would be the total opposite.
The Libertarian Case for Supporting Ukraine
Note, again, this isn’t for your fake “libertarian” or “classical liberal” which is basically a fascist (Mises Caucus, or UKIP or people like that) but rather, your principled (right) libertarian who believes in economic freedom, in reduced state, markets, and general freedom. Their hesitation to helping Ukraine may be cost related, may be to do with the encroaching power of the state (perhaps memories of the war on terror), a distrust of institutions such as the EU and NATO or worries about what they think is authoritarianism in Ukraine.
Freedom is the ultimate value that should be protected at all cost. Is that not a core tenet of libertarianism? While there are many types of libertarianism, this is generally shared. Ukrainians are dying for the freedom of their people, for the freedom of many other people who may not even realise it yet, and to betray them, to not help them is to do a disservice to freedom.
Ukraine has been taking the steps since independence to become a free, liberal, democratic market society. It still has many problems with an overbearing state in many areas. Though many of the people have a small l-libertarian outlook, a love of entrepreneurship, a desire to keep the state out of their lives, and to not be told what to do.
Ukraine’s progress, towards a freer society, will only be hindered by a russian victory. Russia combines the worst aspects of an authoritarian regime with an incredibly cronyistic capitalism, where the elite oligarchs and state institutions are all together, preventing a real meritocratic system, keeping the money in Moscow, and sending people to die. LGBT people and minorities are oppressed. There is no real democracy.
Ukraine has a constitution and democracy. Some worry abut Ukraine suspending elections but this is in line with the constitution, there is no political appetite to have an election, and historically was also done in the UK during world war two. It is dangerous to have people gather, it is impossible when people are displaced in many regions, and russia would manipulate it no doubt.
You are perhaps suspicious of the EU and NATO, as large bodies which can regulate with freedoms you hold dear. By all means are neither of them perfect. However, for Ukraine, they are ways to guarante their survival. Plus, we see in the UK, which has left the EU, the state become more insular, more protectionist, less economically successful, and less free in general. The EU does help with many of these freedoms for the European. It could be better, and will need reform, but to ignore Ukraine or the EU’s warnings is naive.
If you are worried about the financial cost. Often the money comes back to you from aiding Ukraine via manufacturing and jobs. But, more importantly, the cost is far higher to not intervene. A russian victory in Ukraine could spread to other conflicts. It will embolden it. It could signal to China and others to start their own wars or encroach on the west. Who will this be good for? Would more crises in global supply chains be good? More food insecurity in the world? I do not think you want that.
Libertarians in Ukraine and also the principled ones in russia for that matter are both opposed to Putin’s war. They understand that the path to a freer society can only be undertaken with a defeated authoritarian regime. Europe became free after defeating the nazis. Eastern Europe became more free after the USSR. LOok at Estonia, a vibrant market economy, in the EU, and free from russia’s shackles.
War is a horrible thing. We all know that, and we have seen how war has been used to take away freedoms. A larger war will embolden the state to do so, and will be necessary. A russian victory will also risk more fractures in your home country, more divides, more isolationism and protectionism, more war and more chaos. Not the chaos where you can rise out of the ashes. More the kind where people get murdered if you are in the firing line of russia. ANd if you are far away, safe in the USA< do you think your government will give you more freedoms if a conventional war were fought? I do not think so.
Freedom above all. This is a principle. It is not what we put a price on. It goes above security, comfort, financial wellbeing. It must be upheld at all cost. Ukraine understands that. Do you?
I may visit more arguments in the future, as I believe there are no doubt more. However, I hope this has been helpful and given you ideas on how, and why, you should speak to your audience.
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