All over the world, Russians – inside and outside Russia – are being blamed for their president’s invasion of Ukraine. A Russian top conductor was fired for his ties to the president (eg, DW). Even classical concerts featuring dead Russian composers (eg, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky) were cancelled (Volkskrant).
Some random news articles:
- “Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, Germans with Russian roots have been reporting aggression against them: at school, on public transport, in everyday life.” (DW)
- “Russians Around the World Are Facing Abuse and Harassment Amid the Ukraine Conflict” (TIME)
- “Eigenaren van Russische supermarkten krijgen haatreacties: ‘Ze denken je hebt een Russische supermarkt, dus je bent slecht’ ” (Trouw)
- “Russians denounce ‘collective punishment’ for Ukraine invasion” (Aljazeera)
Allegedly, most Russians (inside Russia) are not even aware there’s a war going on in Ukraine. When told, they don’t believe it as they haven’t heard about that war. There’s a severe penalty on using the words invasion and war (eg, NPR). Are Russians collectively responsible and guilty?
Throughout history, certain groups have been considered as having collective responsibility and guilt:
- Jews: the origin of anti-judaism (rather than antisemitism) is – however – a mystery (my 2016 blog);
- Germany: following World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945).
In 1964, the German political philosopher and Holocaust survivor Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) called German collective guilt a fallacy (eg, Harvard Crimson). Her plea came too soon. The 21st century attempts were more successful (eg, source).
However, after 2,500 years, Jews are still stuck with the notion of collective guilt.
Recently, the Ukrainian president stated: “This is outright terror … from experienced terrorists. The world needs to know this. I have to admit it – we are all dealing with a terrorist state.” (eg, Guardian). His opinion is not without evidence. Here are some examples:
- 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine
- 2020: Russian poisoning of Alexei Navalny
- 2014: the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
- 2014: the Annexation of Crimea by Russia
- 2008: the Russian invasion of Georgia
- 2006: Russian poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko
- 1979-1989: the Russian invasion of Afghanistan
- 1968: the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia
- 1956: repression of 1956 Hungarian Revolution
- 1939: the Russian invasion of Poland
- various: list of Russian and Soviet assassinations.
I had never thought of Russia as a terrorist state. Probably, because I separate a country’s leader from its citizens. I prefer the view of the 46th US president: the Russian president is a killer (eg, Bloomberg).
Killer (1990) by Adamski featuring Seal
artist 1, artist 2, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wik-2, Wiki-3
[Verse 1]
So you want
To be free?
To live your life
The way you wanna be?
Will you give
If we cry?
Will we live
Or will we die? Ha-ha
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
You’re right Leon that it is unfair to punish all Russians for the sins of a very few. But « ich habe es night gewusst » wasn’t a convincing argument at Nürenberg either. The problem is that politicians, particularly on the right wing, are becoming less and less accountable for their lies and social media acts as an echo chamber to exploit people’s confirmation biases. Look at Trump and Fox News in the US. How do we restore truth to social and political discourse?