The problem I have with that kind of argument is that the US has historically been rather authoritarian, and has supported and installed extremely authoritarian governments in other countries. The US also has a history of state terrorism, invading countries and committing g war crimes to enforce their political wills onto foreign populations. That doesn’t excuse Russia or China, but the notion that the US isn’t also a major authoritarian power or is otherwise categorically different is nonsense.
Unfortunately there are no truly benevolent democracies, but the US is democratic. It has many flaws including, those you rightly point out, and it has also done a lot to support the spread of democracy.
There’s more at stake than just democracy vs authoritarianism, but that still seems like the most accurate way of framing it. Look at the countries aligned with each side, there’s a distinct pattern.
I would agree but then again Israel is aligned with the US or more like the US is aligned with Israel and it’s a very very ugly thing to commit genocide in the name of freedom and democracy. I still much rather benefit from the privilege that comes with living in a democratic country, but I dare say being on the receiving end of either democratic or authoritarian geopolitics boils down to essentially the same thing.
Good to see this language used instead of “east vs west.”
With countries all over the planet supporting Ukraine, its more accurate to say the growing tension is democracies vs authoritarian governments.
The problem I have with that kind of argument is that the US has historically been rather authoritarian, and has supported and installed extremely authoritarian governments in other countries. The US also has a history of state terrorism, invading countries and committing g war crimes to enforce their political wills onto foreign populations. That doesn’t excuse Russia or China, but the notion that the US isn’t also a major authoritarian power or is otherwise categorically different is nonsense.
Yeah, I essentially agree.
Unfortunately there are no truly benevolent democracies, but the US is democratic. It has many flaws including, those you rightly point out, and it has also done a lot to support the spread of democracy.
There’s more at stake than just democracy vs authoritarianism, but that still seems like the most accurate way of framing it. Look at the countries aligned with each side, there’s a distinct pattern.
I would agree but then again Israel is aligned with the US or more like the US is aligned with Israel and it’s a very very ugly thing to commit genocide in the name of freedom and democracy. I still much rather benefit from the privilege that comes with living in a democratic country, but I dare say being on the receiving end of either democratic or authoritarian geopolitics boils down to essentially the same thing.