Gallup takes stock of public opinion in Russia in 2023, outlining six key insights that offer a glimpse into life for those on the other side of the conflict in Ukraine.
I think some pragmatism is necessary here as well, tbh. What would popular revolution, in the near future, as the west remains in some degree intact, in Russia do? Similar to what it would probably do in Iran, India, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, or any other non-socialist, non-communist states at the moment- if it fails or is co-opted by the west, it would likely weaken the current shift to multipolarism and the collective efforts of the south and east in breaking free from western imperialism, at a crucial time where nations, socialist and otherwise, are increasingly working with one another towards these goals.
I might be a communist, but frankly? I'll take the continuation of the Wahhabist, reactionary monarchist Saudi Arabia, Islamist Iran, hell, I'll even take the increasingly fascistic Hindutvas of the BJP in the short term over the continued hegemony, forever-wars, and white supremacist, genocidal imperialism of the west. Most important of all to me- far, far above that of communism- that is, far above the task of building socialism and the establishing of the dictatorship of the proletariat, which is likely best left to each society to start working towards themselves at their own pace (and eventually, they all will have to IMO- socialism or barbarism is how it will go, as always) is anti-imperialism, mutlipolarity, and the equality, equity, and democracy of nations and all races. The highest stage of imperialism must be undermined and destroyed first and foremost- and as a struggle that is faced by the majority of humanity, I think it would be a fatal mistake to undermine those who are working towards it.
It might sound a bit rich, coming from someone living in a western country, raised in the west- and personally, I used to be one of those chumps who hoped for the further westernization or even overthrow of my own birth country and idealized western "democracy" and "human rights" (Singapore, which once again- granted, I'm aware of how it all sounds coming from someone whose family comes from a rich- albeit formerly poor and brutally colonized- country). But it is what it is- to me there's a hierarchy of needs and priorities, and even as a trans person myself, first and foremost, the greatest evils- imperialism and white supremacy- must be destroyed. If purported communists cannot deliver racial, national, and cultural liberation from western hegemony- if we seek to undermine all imperfect states no matter their present circumstances and the broader ongoing global context, and in doing so even act against these things, out of the pursuit of economic liberation for ourselves while abandoning the international solidarity being built against the highest form of capitalism- what reason does anyone else looking in have, to trust, work with, educate themselves about, and find common cause with such kinds of self-proclaimed communists?
Basically- the Soviets were right to work with the rest of the allies during WW2, due to the circumstances back then. The second united front in China between the CPC and KMT was necessary. In the same vein, I think it's best for communists and anyone sensible and well-intentioned in general, to work with other countries of the global south and east, no matter how disagreeable- hell, how vile- their governments might be, if it is pragmatic to do so, and it genuinely undermines the west in a pragmatic fashion.
I very much agree. US hegemony over the world has to be broken before any serious positive change becomes possible in the world. Countries having sovereignty and not being run by global financial capital is a prerequisite for moving towards socialism and communism.
While Russia may be a capitalist state, it is acting as a vanguard against NATO expansion in Ukraine while also being pivotal to BRICS which is breaking US economic hegemony. I expect that when the dust settles we'll enter a multipolar world where US no longer dominates. I also expect this will force the empire into irreversible decline because its ability to parasitise the rest of the world will be greatly diminished.
I think some pragmatism is necessary here as well, tbh. What would popular revolution, in the near future, as the west remains in some degree intact, in Russia do? Similar to what it would probably do in Iran, India, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, or any other non-socialist, non-communist states at the moment- if it fails or is co-opted by the west, it would likely weaken the current shift to multipolarism and the collective efforts of the south and east in breaking free from western imperialism, at a crucial time where nations, socialist and otherwise, are increasingly working with one another towards these goals.
I might be a communist, but frankly? I'll take the continuation of the Wahhabist, reactionary monarchist Saudi Arabia, Islamist Iran, hell, I'll even take the increasingly fascistic Hindutvas of the BJP in the short term over the continued hegemony, forever-wars, and white supremacist, genocidal imperialism of the west. Most important of all to me- far, far above that of communism- that is, far above the task of building socialism and the establishing of the dictatorship of the proletariat, which is likely best left to each society to start working towards themselves at their own pace (and eventually, they all will have to IMO- socialism or barbarism is how it will go, as always) is anti-imperialism, mutlipolarity, and the equality, equity, and democracy of nations and all races. The highest stage of imperialism must be undermined and destroyed first and foremost- and as a struggle that is faced by the majority of humanity, I think it would be a fatal mistake to undermine those who are working towards it.
It might sound a bit rich, coming from someone living in a western country, raised in the west- and personally, I used to be one of those chumps who hoped for the further westernization or even overthrow of my own birth country and idealized western "democracy" and "human rights" (Singapore, which once again- granted, I'm aware of how it all sounds coming from someone whose family comes from a rich- albeit formerly poor and brutally colonized- country). But it is what it is- to me there's a hierarchy of needs and priorities, and even as a trans person myself, first and foremost, the greatest evils- imperialism and white supremacy- must be destroyed. If purported communists cannot deliver racial, national, and cultural liberation from western hegemony- if we seek to undermine all imperfect states no matter their present circumstances and the broader ongoing global context, and in doing so even act against these things, out of the pursuit of economic liberation for ourselves while abandoning the international solidarity being built against the highest form of capitalism- what reason does anyone else looking in have, to trust, work with, educate themselves about, and find common cause with such kinds of self-proclaimed communists?
Basically- the Soviets were right to work with the rest of the allies during WW2, due to the circumstances back then. The second united front in China between the CPC and KMT was necessary. In the same vein, I think it's best for communists and anyone sensible and well-intentioned in general, to work with other countries of the global south and east, no matter how disagreeable- hell, how vile- their governments might be, if it is pragmatic to do so, and it genuinely undermines the west in a pragmatic fashion.
I very much agree. US hegemony over the world has to be broken before any serious positive change becomes possible in the world. Countries having sovereignty and not being run by global financial capital is a prerequisite for moving towards socialism and communism.
While Russia may be a capitalist state, it is acting as a vanguard against NATO expansion in Ukraine while also being pivotal to BRICS which is breaking US economic hegemony. I expect that when the dust settles we'll enter a multipolar world where US no longer dominates. I also expect this will force the empire into irreversible decline because its ability to parasitise the rest of the world will be greatly diminished.