"Ukraine must win this war, if there is to be a future." Terrifying thought, yet seemingly true. Another informative lecture that I thank you for. When you speak about "freedom of speech" and how it is intended to be used as a tool to speak "truth to power" I always find myself thinking (perhaps yearning) of civics classes that used to be common. We need them more than ever (not just in the US, but around the free world) and urgently. In your free time (<wink>) you should consider putting together an online series or podcast of a Civics Class. I would be the first to sign up, paid or free. Thanks for all your teaching.
On pp. 5-6 of "The Ukrainian Night," Marci Shore relates the story of Mykola Riabchuk's lecture at the IWM on Feb. 19, 2014. In the last sentence, Mykola speaks a truth during a very difficult time for his country, a truth that Vladimir Putin rejects, a truth that every Ukrainian knows and accepts:
"'What can we do?' asked a young Polish woman in the audience.
"In response Mykola described a scene from Nikolai Gogol's play 'The Inspector General'. At the end of the play a country squire named Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky approached the Inspector General from the capital of Saint Petersburg with a 'humble request': he begged his Excellency most worshipfully, when he returned to Saint Petersburg, to tell the tsar that there was a man called Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky who lived in this town. To simply remember that there was a man called Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky.
"'Just remember,' Mykola answered the young woman, 'that there is a country called Ukraine.'"
There IS a lot at stake in this war for the sake of the future of world, not only for Ukraine. Ukraine has made this realization and an outcome possible and probable... if we help... if we understand what is at sake. That latter is a battle here and elsewhere that can and should be won. But it's work. It's not a matter of on the one hand, on the other hand. So I hope that this lecture helps to spread the essential truth about what democracy is and is not- why we should want it and need it- the differences between structural democracy (which we lean on) and active democracy- or as TS says "corporeal democracy:risking: telling the truth to power, putting oneself on the line if need be.
I was feeling something very strong in me as I was watching during the beginning days of this onslaught, arguing with those who right away were for appeasing and "peace". They were respected names in political journalism/analysis, academia: the "realists", the restraint folks of "responsible statecraft", the supposed "owners" of our "better angels", those who sit on a perch somewhere and draw up versions of history more than look at the future from all sides and choose. Sometimes a war must be fought... you don't want it, but it's there and you cannot run from it. Zelensky, one man, made a difference.. but he said in turn that he was listening to the people. A true and rare leader.
I would, were I in Ukraine, have risked because what does life mean otherwise?
Thank you Professor Snyder for your thoughts on our oligarch who was talking to putin. I wish people would remember that it was not a choice to speak Ukrainian in the Soviet Union, so the fact Ukrainians speak it (like myself born 1985 and brought to U.S.) says more about why russia is a threat than everyone wanting to be russian.
This was enlightening and wickedly enjoyable thank you!
I appreciate your sharing your ideas about Freedom and Democracy and what will be our need to fight the fascist forces who are twirling their fingers hoping to take control. What I have learned from you and Ukraine is a vision of actually forming ideas and finding strength to stand up for beliefs especially that there can be a better world President Zelensky staying put is our role model a guiding force .Thank you. I am looking forward to reading your upcoming book it seems like it can’t arrive quickly enough. Thoroughly enjoying your course and the syllabus. All best regards
I am so pleased that your lecture was delivered before a roomful of undergrad students. I really hope it can be repeated in campuses across the country. It was especially important to take ownership of the meaning of freedom of speech. It has been buried in cowardice, as you said. Listening to the end, I thought perhaps you should have lunch with Merrick Garland. He might find your analysis empowering.
There are voices from the left (Mearsheimer, e.g.) who place some of the blame for the war on US policies beginning after the end of the Soviet Union, Some of these go so far as to see it as US incitement to go to war with Russia, even referring to the "Maidan coup." Nor has the right shown enthusiasm for this war. So is this about democracy or American aggression? It might be useful to revisit these arguments.
Ethics, morals, agency, inspiration do exist. And Professor Snyder is so right, The future has yet to be written. We must imagine all the possibilities. It needs our attention.
Of all the "crazy ideas" which dominate the thinking of oligarchs (and especially hydrocarbon oligarchs) one of the most toxic might be that whatever we try to counter global warming, the earth will become uninhabitable for humans and that they - the oligarchs and their families and friends - will be able, thanks to their wealth and power - to escape the uninhabitable planet. It would therefore be interesting to proceed to an in depth analysis of the motivation of personalities like Trump, Bolsonaro, Putin and even Musk to detect this type of "doomsday escape route planning".
"Ukraine must win this war, if there is to be a future." Terrifying thought, yet seemingly true. Another informative lecture that I thank you for. When you speak about "freedom of speech" and how it is intended to be used as a tool to speak "truth to power" I always find myself thinking (perhaps yearning) of civics classes that used to be common. We need them more than ever (not just in the US, but around the free world) and urgently. In your free time (<wink>) you should consider putting together an online series or podcast of a Civics Class. I would be the first to sign up, paid or free. Thanks for all your teaching.
On pp. 5-6 of "The Ukrainian Night," Marci Shore relates the story of Mykola Riabchuk's lecture at the IWM on Feb. 19, 2014. In the last sentence, Mykola speaks a truth during a very difficult time for his country, a truth that Vladimir Putin rejects, a truth that every Ukrainian knows and accepts:
"'What can we do?' asked a young Polish woman in the audience.
"In response Mykola described a scene from Nikolai Gogol's play 'The Inspector General'. At the end of the play a country squire named Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky approached the Inspector General from the capital of Saint Petersburg with a 'humble request': he begged his Excellency most worshipfully, when he returned to Saint Petersburg, to tell the tsar that there was a man called Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky who lived in this town. To simply remember that there was a man called Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky.
"'Just remember,' Mykola answered the young woman, 'that there is a country called Ukraine.'"
The sunflower growing up through the wreckage is a striking symbol of hope.
There IS a lot at stake in this war for the sake of the future of world, not only for Ukraine. Ukraine has made this realization and an outcome possible and probable... if we help... if we understand what is at sake. That latter is a battle here and elsewhere that can and should be won. But it's work. It's not a matter of on the one hand, on the other hand. So I hope that this lecture helps to spread the essential truth about what democracy is and is not- why we should want it and need it- the differences between structural democracy (which we lean on) and active democracy- or as TS says "corporeal democracy:risking: telling the truth to power, putting oneself on the line if need be.
I was feeling something very strong in me as I was watching during the beginning days of this onslaught, arguing with those who right away were for appeasing and "peace". They were respected names in political journalism/analysis, academia: the "realists", the restraint folks of "responsible statecraft", the supposed "owners" of our "better angels", those who sit on a perch somewhere and draw up versions of history more than look at the future from all sides and choose. Sometimes a war must be fought... you don't want it, but it's there and you cannot run from it. Zelensky, one man, made a difference.. but he said in turn that he was listening to the people. A true and rare leader.
I would, were I in Ukraine, have risked because what does life mean otherwise?
Dr. Snyder, your insights and knowledge are invaluable. Is anyone in the White House and the State and Defense Departments seeking your advice?
Thank you Professor Snyder for your thoughts on our oligarch who was talking to putin. I wish people would remember that it was not a choice to speak Ukrainian in the Soviet Union, so the fact Ukrainians speak it (like myself born 1985 and brought to U.S.) says more about why russia is a threat than everyone wanting to be russian.
This was enlightening and wickedly enjoyable thank you!
I appreciate your sharing your ideas about Freedom and Democracy and what will be our need to fight the fascist forces who are twirling their fingers hoping to take control. What I have learned from you and Ukraine is a vision of actually forming ideas and finding strength to stand up for beliefs especially that there can be a better world President Zelensky staying put is our role model a guiding force .Thank you. I am looking forward to reading your upcoming book it seems like it can’t arrive quickly enough. Thoroughly enjoying your course and the syllabus. All best regards
I am so pleased that your lecture was delivered before a roomful of undergrad students. I really hope it can be repeated in campuses across the country. It was especially important to take ownership of the meaning of freedom of speech. It has been buried in cowardice, as you said. Listening to the end, I thought perhaps you should have lunch with Merrick Garland. He might find your analysis empowering.
There are voices from the left (Mearsheimer, e.g.) who place some of the blame for the war on US policies beginning after the end of the Soviet Union, Some of these go so far as to see it as US incitement to go to war with Russia, even referring to the "Maidan coup." Nor has the right shown enthusiasm for this war. So is this about democracy or American aggression? It might be useful to revisit these arguments.
Ethics, morals, agency, inspiration do exist. And Professor Snyder is so right, The future has yet to be written. We must imagine all the possibilities. It needs our attention.
Of all the "crazy ideas" which dominate the thinking of oligarchs (and especially hydrocarbon oligarchs) one of the most toxic might be that whatever we try to counter global warming, the earth will become uninhabitable for humans and that they - the oligarchs and their families and friends - will be able, thanks to their wealth and power - to escape the uninhabitable planet. It would therefore be interesting to proceed to an in depth analysis of the motivation of personalities like Trump, Bolsonaro, Putin and even Musk to detect this type of "doomsday escape route planning".
The sound is of poor quality
Very thought provoking. Thanks!
Excellent as always than you
The depth of insight and the power of the arguments are striking. Thank you for making this available.
This is truly great! Thank you!