It’s worth noting that everyday Dems often want very different things than the “leadership Dems” that are in power under corporate and foreign influence. I don’t want vassals - a tiny silver lining of Trump is American hegemony in decline. Thats only a good if Authoritarians don’t step into that gap. I hope EU can be the standard bearer and defender of liberal (as opposed to illiberal) democracy in the world until we get our shit together
Thats only a good if Authoritarians don’t step into that gap
No, it’s good even if authoritarians (thinking of China here) step into the gap. It’s hard for Europeans to properly appreciate how absurdly evil US hegemony is and has been, and how much blood is on their hands for supporting it/kowtowing to it over the years. I’d rather have China as the world hegemon than, say, France frankly, and that’s not out of my love for China; the EU has a lot of introspection to do if it wants to avoid America’s fate, and I find this narrative of the EU as the innocent victim unfairly bullied by big brother America/last bastion of human rights to be very counterproductive towards that end.
First, this is a non-sequitur as there’s no direct relation between how China governs its territory and the kind of conditions it imposes/would impose on imperial vassals; by this logic Western (neo)colonialism must be “nice” and democratic because Western countries were until 2024 all democratic (hint: It fucking isn’t). Second, despite the authoritarianism Hong Kong has one of the highest standards of living in the world, higher even than mainland China. What exactly is your point here?
My point is that I think authoritarianism is worse than liberal democracy, even when flawed. The trade of individual autonomy and democracy in exchange for promises of stability, progress, and equitable distribution of wealth is compelling for some that believe all the promises - but I don’t believe in the intrinsic good of the State.
Liberal Democracy’s hands aren’t clean by any stretch, but there are mechanisms for recourse by citizens. Governments always think they know best, but authoritarian states have too much concentrated power.
That the trains run on time, or the DOW is over 50000, or quality of life for Hong Kong is better than Guangdong does not excuse state brutality and once power is concentrated, brutality by force and mental/social control efforts are inevitable.
It’s worth noting that everyday Dems often want very different things than the “leadership Dems” that are in power under corporate and foreign influence. I don’t want vassals - a tiny silver lining of Trump is American hegemony in decline. Thats only a good if Authoritarians don’t step into that gap. I hope EU can be the standard bearer and defender of liberal (as opposed to illiberal) democracy in the world until we get our shit together
No, it’s good even if authoritarians (thinking of China here) step into the gap. It’s hard for Europeans to properly appreciate how absurdly evil US hegemony is and has been, and how much blood is on their hands for supporting it/kowtowing to it over the years. I’d rather have China as the world hegemon than, say, France frankly, and that’s not out of my love for China; the EU has a lot of introspection to do if it wants to avoid America’s fate, and I find this narrative of the EU as the innocent victim unfairly bullied by big brother America/last bastion of human rights to be very counterproductive towards that end.
For a glimpse, see Hong Kong
First, this is a non-sequitur as there’s no direct relation between how China governs its territory and the kind of conditions it imposes/would impose on imperial vassals; by this logic Western (neo)colonialism must be “nice” and democratic because Western countries were until 2024 all democratic (hint: It fucking isn’t). Second, despite the authoritarianism Hong Kong has one of the highest standards of living in the world, higher even than mainland China. What exactly is your point here?
My point is that I think authoritarianism is worse than liberal democracy, even when flawed. The trade of individual autonomy and democracy in exchange for promises of stability, progress, and equitable distribution of wealth is compelling for some that believe all the promises - but I don’t believe in the intrinsic good of the State. Liberal Democracy’s hands aren’t clean by any stretch, but there are mechanisms for recourse by citizens. Governments always think they know best, but authoritarian states have too much concentrated power. That the trains run on time, or the DOW is over 50000, or quality of life for Hong Kong is better than Guangdong does not excuse state brutality and once power is concentrated, brutality by force and mental/social control efforts are inevitable.
To me anyways
Yeah exactly, when I say Democrats, it’s the establishment Democrats, not the average Democrat voters (at least, I hope so).