I think it ought to be obvious that there is a difference between (1) “empire” in the sense of historical "Russian Empire" which was basically Czarist Russia, and (2) “empire” in the sense of expansionist system aiming to acquire territories beyond the original entity, e.g., the British Empire that kept expanding forever beyond the British Isles.
In other words, Russian Empire in sense (1) refers to an established, internationally recognized geographical area, whereas "Russian Empire" in sense (2) is an imaginary construct created by Western propaganda.
I think restoring some of the Russian Empire in sense (1) is legitimate. (Also, note that I said “some”.).
Creating an empire in sense (2) is (a) not legitimate and (b) unsupported by the evidence.
Hence my objection to the use of the phrase "Russian Empire" in sense (2).
Pretty clear and simple IMO .... — Apollodorus
Oh I do understand. You cannot be more clear. I did try asking what you thought of the annexations and you have given a clear answer.If you still don't understand, do let me know and I'll explain it to you in greater detail — Apollodorus
Psychology doesn't matter at all, actions do. Yet usually one has to take that what a person says is what he truly thinks. Of course he can lie for obvious purposes, just like saying Russia has no intention of invading Ukraine. And then, invasion. But the fact that NATO is out to get Russia and won't stop at anything can a thing that Putin genuinely thinks is true. Or any opposition that he faces is only implanted by the West and it's desire to instigate "Color Revolutions".Granted, but the danger for me is the focus on psychology rather than strategy. — Baden
Granted, but the danger for me is the focus on psychology rather than strategy. — Baden
We go to war because we love it. — frank
Most of those reasons don't work today because they get shut down pretty fast through pretty strong alliances, — Christoffer
Well, Putin is getting away with it. And I'm guessing he'll gain in stature for it. He'll seem strong. — frank
Nobody ought to say that a country of 44 million is "artificial" — ssu
hence I can annex territories from it.
Is Putin Mad? — Wayfarer
Perhaps it should be described a bit better. That he is confined to a cabal that won't say anything against him. Now, if you don't have anybody challenging you, you really might go astray in your thinking. — ssu
This is an inevitable conflict, caused as much by Western provocation and puppet-mastery as it is by Russian lunacy and stubbornness. — Isaac
And, as I said before, if Russia loses, British and American corporations will be the first to get their hands on Russian resources, exactly as they did, or tried to do, in the 1990's after the collapse of the USSR. — Apollodorus
Putin supporters tend to be quietists who seek stability. I don't see how they could reconcile this invasion with a concern for stability. — jamalrob
@frankI don't think so. Not at least in the same way. — ssu
One of the implied motivations for creating the European Union was precisely this insight: relatively small countries with limited natural resources cannot make it on their own to live a first-world lifestyle. — baker
Like I'm automatically a second-class person because I'm from a Slavic nation. — baker
Public life in Britain has taken a dark turn over the past 48 hours. Russia’s outrageous invasion of Ukraine has caused some people to lose their minds. War hysteria is everywhere. Jingoism is surging. Russophobia itself threatens to take hold in polite society. I can’t be the only person who feels deeply uncomfortable with the stifling, conformist and accusatory atmosphere that has descended on these isles in such swift order.
Truth is the first casualty of war, they say. In fact it’s more often freedom and reason. Especially freedom of conscience: the freedom to think differently to those banging the drums of war, or, in this case, those calling for a huge Western showdown with Russia. In recent years, the start of every war in which Britain has some role or some interest has been accompanied by a clampdown on free discussion, by the demonisation of those who dare to deviate, however slightly, from the mainstream narrative. And so it has been following Putin’s shock-and-awe in Ukraine.
Those of us who implacably oppose Russia’s invasion but who also believe that Nato played a key role in stoking the Ukraine crisis are being mauled as ‘Putin apologists’. ‘You love Putin’ is the infantile cry of laptop bombardiers who cannot believe that some of us have refused to join in their brave social-media campaign for 20-year-old working-class men to be packed off to Ukraine to fight the Russians.
Do you have such evidence? — Isaac
Yes. The obvious evidence is that Russia has annexed Crimea. Case closed. — ssu
We have a choice - what to do next. The only thing that matters is that choice, the consequences of it. — Isaac
the Baltic States did make a choice — ssu
Those of us who implacably oppose Russia’s invasion but who also believe that Nato played a key role in stoking the Ukraine crisis are being mauled as ‘Putin apologists’. ‘You love Putin’ is the infantile cry of laptop bombardiers who cannot believe that some of us have refused to join in their brave social-media campaign for 20-year-old working-class men to be packed off to Ukraine to fight the Russians.
BTW, as a Slavic speaker, how would you interpret the word "Ukraine"? To me, it sounds very much like this was not the name of a people but of a geographical area, inhabited by a plurality of nationalities and controlled by various countries at different points in history. If so, Putin may have a point regarding the legitimacy of the "Ukrainian" state. — Apollodorus
Let's analyze the name of your country to decide whether or not we can invade it and subjugate you — Baden
Good job a serious debating platform such as this wouldn't house such kindergarten-level analysis... — Isaac
It's also clear that the world at large isn't taking the situation in the Ukraine seriously, given that sports, fashion, and other entertainment events go on as usual, tv programs are only slightly changed, but the majority is entertainment as usual. — baker
Which really begs the question why.No one knows, but plenty speculates that even if he succeeds in defeating Ukraine, he will still not benefit from this. There's almost no "win" for him in any of this. — Christoffer
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.