4 ms·
This is a obscure to me but people like Finkelstein and Chomsky point out the aftermath of WWII, where Russia was excluded by the other Western countries from t
by calf 2y ago
This is a obscure to me but people like Finkelstein and Chomsky point out the aftermath of WWII, where Russia was excluded by the other Western countries from the spoils of war and so forth, was a critical juncture that set back Russia's normal development. I don't know the details but it's an important question to ask, because much of the foundational disagreements between people with different political views on this (as you can see in this thread) depend on what one thinks is the historical context, which side was more the underdog, and who has power today, etc.
- chipdart 2y ago> This is a obscure to me but people like Finkelstein and Chomsky point out the aftermath of WWII, where Russia was excluded by the other Western countries from the spoils of war and so forth, was a critical juncture that set back Russia's normal development. Facts like the Berlin blockade refute this hypothesis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade The problem with these anti-west talking heads is that they base their beliefs on this idea of infantilizing each and every antagonist of "the west" whereas "the west" is bounded to a behavior akin to sainthood where all issues are due to not enough penance and self-sacrifice. I mean, the Soviet Union right after WW2 was engaged relentlessly in decades of imperialism targeting east Europe and involved in ethnic cleansing and genocide, with tanks rolling in randomly, and the conclusion of these anti-west talking heads is that "the west" wasn't being cozy enough?
- protomolecule 2y agoYou are conveniently ignoring the reason for the blockade -- Western Allies reneging on their deal with the USSR regarding post-war Germany.
- chipdart 2y agoI recommend you read up on te history of the Berlin airlift so that you have a chance of forming an inforned opinion grounded on reality.
- protomolecule 2y agoYour comment seems to focus heavily on expressing personal conviction, yet it might be more impactful with substantive content.
- calf 2y agoIt is perfectly fair to say that 1st-world countries ought to act morally and generously on a finite planet, and held to that standard because of their privileged technology and affluence. For some reason your values distorts that fairness into some perceived impossible thing that the West cannot afford to do. You are free to believe that, I believe it is small and narrow-minded, a legacy of racist jingoism. As for the Soviet Union, sure, they were probably acting imperialist too (just as China treats HK, Taiwan, and its neighboring territories today, etc.), but that does not excuse the West's treatment toward their eastern neighbor(s). No amount of wikipedia reading will fix such simple prejudices. Also, I'm getting old and I do not tolerate basic college-level logical failures to reason, using those various ad hominems in your comment.