Solnit is absolutely correct - Americans HUNGER for real news, although I'd have wished she'd put Heather's contributions to preserving and increasing knowledge of actual reality more at the top of the article. I don't know how I found Heather's substack, but I quote from it on FB (I'm not on twitterX, instagram, etc.), and I hope that helps more people find her excellent writings.
God (or whoever) help us if we don't bring the MAGA insanity to a screeching halt this November.
I love democracy, but I try to think pragmatically, even about democracy. So when I ask myself why Victor Orban or Putin, who distrust democracy, are supported by millions of their fellow citizens, it occurs to me that perhaps they have a point when they claim that democracy has not been good for those millions. In Russia it's easy to see that the political chaos and economic ruin following the end of the Soviet Union led to the emergence of a strong man and quasi-dictator in the shape of Putin. In the case of Hungary, it may be that strife and chaos made it possible for Orban to get elected, and then consolidate his power. The counter-claim would be that many citizens of both countries would like to get rid of these strong men, and resume democratic processes - BUT there is no certainty that once these dictators were overthrown, political strife and economic disorder would not return. Egypt, for example, tried democratic elections, and instead got first chaos, then a theocratic regime, and finally a military dictator like the one they'd overthrown.
Democracy has worked very well for the U.S., enabling economic expansion that has moved millions out of poverty and up the income ladder to relative affluence, but even with our enviable geography, protected by oceans on both flanks, democracy has not lifted all boats or stifled violent political dissent, which, when it occurs, we oppress with force.
Democratic states are not inherently peaceful, or respectful of other democracies, as U.S. imperialism clearly demonstrates. Moreover, we developed democratic institutions on our own - why do we think that we can impose them on others? Hungary, Russia, and many other countries like Iran and China are not yet secure and economically developed enough to have produced a middle class large enough to be able to run their country democratically - that is, peacefully, with fair elections, and the rule of law to settle disagreements.
Orban and Putin promise to give their citizens the economic stability and the sense of security they want, at the cost of freedoms that we cherish, including of speech, and of the press. But, if (social) democracy is, as I believe, the best form of government yet devised, it will come in time to them too, as conditions allow. BUT threatening illiberal regimes with invasion, dismemberment, or nuclear war will be counterproductive. Hungary and Russia already have elections and at least pretend to be democracies, so in time true democracy may emerge.
Until then we'll just have to go on living with them, hoping our example will inspire their citizens to want to emulate us.
Heather and friends...very happy to read praises for your excellent contributions to journalism in this Rebecca Solnits article.. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/sep/06/trump-clinton-harris-election?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Solnit is absolutely correct - Americans HUNGER for real news, although I'd have wished she'd put Heather's contributions to preserving and increasing knowledge of actual reality more at the top of the article. I don't know how I found Heather's substack, but I quote from it on FB (I'm not on twitterX, instagram, etc.), and I hope that helps more people find her excellent writings.
God (or whoever) help us if we don't bring the MAGA insanity to a screeching halt this November.
“Nazis. I hate those guys.” Perfect. So do I !
Wouldn't it be delicious if Tucker Carlson was exposed as a Russian spy?
I love democracy, but I try to think pragmatically, even about democracy. So when I ask myself why Victor Orban or Putin, who distrust democracy, are supported by millions of their fellow citizens, it occurs to me that perhaps they have a point when they claim that democracy has not been good for those millions. In Russia it's easy to see that the political chaos and economic ruin following the end of the Soviet Union led to the emergence of a strong man and quasi-dictator in the shape of Putin. In the case of Hungary, it may be that strife and chaos made it possible for Orban to get elected, and then consolidate his power. The counter-claim would be that many citizens of both countries would like to get rid of these strong men, and resume democratic processes - BUT there is no certainty that once these dictators were overthrown, political strife and economic disorder would not return. Egypt, for example, tried democratic elections, and instead got first chaos, then a theocratic regime, and finally a military dictator like the one they'd overthrown.
Democracy has worked very well for the U.S., enabling economic expansion that has moved millions out of poverty and up the income ladder to relative affluence, but even with our enviable geography, protected by oceans on both flanks, democracy has not lifted all boats or stifled violent political dissent, which, when it occurs, we oppress with force.
Democratic states are not inherently peaceful, or respectful of other democracies, as U.S. imperialism clearly demonstrates. Moreover, we developed democratic institutions on our own - why do we think that we can impose them on others? Hungary, Russia, and many other countries like Iran and China are not yet secure and economically developed enough to have produced a middle class large enough to be able to run their country democratically - that is, peacefully, with fair elections, and the rule of law to settle disagreements.
Orban and Putin promise to give their citizens the economic stability and the sense of security they want, at the cost of freedoms that we cherish, including of speech, and of the press. But, if (social) democracy is, as I believe, the best form of government yet devised, it will come in time to them too, as conditions allow. BUT threatening illiberal regimes with invasion, dismemberment, or nuclear war will be counterproductive. Hungary and Russia already have elections and at least pretend to be democracies, so in time true democracy may emerge.
Until then we'll just have to go on living with them, hoping our example will inspire their citizens to want to emulate us.
Thank you. York County ME