The Road to Unfreedom

Key Takeaways

1. The politics of eternity: Russia's new form of authoritarianism

Eternity arises from inevitability like a ghost from a corpse.

Eternity politics defined. The politics of eternity is a new form of authoritarianism that has emerged in Russia under Vladimir Putin. It is characterized by:

• A cyclical view of history, where the nation is portrayed as an innocent victim constantly under threat from external enemies
• The rejection of facts and truth in favor of myth and emotion
• The suppression of individuality and critical thinking

This approach serves to justify the concentration of power in the hands of a small elite and to deflect attention from domestic problems. It stands in contrast to the politics of inevitability, which assumes progress is automatic and irreversible.

2. Ivan Ilyin's influence on Putin's Russia and the concept of Russian innocence

Ilyin was consistent. His first major work of philosophy, in Russian (1916), was also his last major work of philosophy, in its edited German translation (1946).

Ilyin's fascist philosophy. Ivan Ilyin, a Russian philosopher of the early 20th century, has become a key influence on Putin's ideology. His main ideas include:

• Russia as a unique civilization with a special spiritual mission
• The need for a strong, authoritarian leader to guide Russia
• The concept of Russian innocence and victimhood in the face of Western aggression

Putin has publicly praised Ilyin and distributed his works to government officials. Ilyin's ideas provide a philosophical justification for Putin's authoritarian rule and Russia's aggressive foreign policy.

3. The collapse of European integration and the rise of Eurasia

Integration or empire? Would Russia's new Eurasian imperialism destroy the EU? Or would European integration reach territory that had been part of the Soviet Union in 1922?

Eurasia vs. EU. Russia has proposed an alternative to European integration called "Eurasia":

• A vision of Russian dominance over its neighbors
• Rejection of Western liberal values and institutions
• Exploitation of far-right movements in Europe to weaken the EU

This Eurasian project stands in direct opposition to the European Union's model of integration based on shared sovereignty and democratic values. Russia has actively worked to undermine the EU through:

• Support for populist and nationalist parties
• Disinformation campaigns
• Energy politics and economic leverage

4. Ukraine's Maidan Revolution: A struggle for democratic values

Having come as individuals, Ukrainian citizens on the Maidan joined new institutions. In practicing corporeal politics they were placing their bodies at risk.

Ukrainians demand change. The Maidan Revolution of 2013-2014 was a pivotal moment in Ukraine's struggle for democracy and European integration. Key aspects include:

• Massive protests against President Yanukovych's refusal to sign an EU association agreement
• The emergence of a vibrant civil society and new forms of grassroots organization
• Violent crackdown by the government, leading to the ousting of Yanukovych

The Maidan represented a rejection of Russian-style authoritarianism and a desire for closer ties with Europe. It demonstrated the power of citizen activism and the strength of Ukrainian national identity.

5. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the manipulation of reality

Putin's direct assault on factuality might be called implausible deniability.

Information warfare tactics. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014 was accompanied by a sophisticated campaign of disinformation and reality manipulation:

• Denial of Russian military involvement despite clear evidence
• Creation of alternative narratives and conspiracy theories
• Use of "little green men" (unmarked Russian soldiers) to sow confusion

This approach, termed "implausible deniability," aimed to:

• Create confusion and doubt about the reality of events
• Provide cover for Russia's actions
• Undermine the ability of the international community to respond effectively

6. The weaponization of information: Russia's global disinformation campaign

Factuality was replaced by a knowing cynicism that asked nothing of the viewer but the occasional nod before sleep.

Propaganda goes global. Russia has developed a sophisticated system for spreading disinformation globally:

• State-controlled media outlets like RT and Sputnik
• Use of social media bots and trolls to amplify messages
• Exploitation of existing divisions and controversies in Western societies

Key tactics include:

• Flooding the information space with multiple, often contradictory narratives
• Blurring the line between fact and fiction
• Undermining trust in traditional media and institutions

The goal is not necessarily to convince people of a particular view, but to create confusion, apathy, and a sense that objective truth is unattainable.

7. The threat to American democracy: Russian interference in the 2016 election

Russia enabled and sustained the fiction of "Donald Trump, successful businessman," and delivered that fiction to Americans as the payload of a cyberweapon.

Undermining US democracy. Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election represented a significant escalation of its information warfare tactics:

• Hacking and release of Democratic Party emails
• Targeted social media campaigns to influence voters
• Potential collusion with the Trump campaign

Key aspects of the interference:

• Exploitation of existing divisions in American society
• Use of both overt and covert methods
• Aim to weaken faith in democratic institutions and processes

The success of this operation revealed vulnerabilities in American democracy and media ecosystems, raising serious concerns about the integrity of future elections.

8. Inequality and the vulnerability of Western democracies to authoritarianism

Inequality means not only poverty but the experience of difference. Visible inequality leads Americans to reject the American dream as unlikely or impossible.

Economic disparities fuel discontent. Growing inequality in Western democracies has made them more vulnerable to authoritarian tendencies:

• Erosion of the middle class and social mobility
• Concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small elite
• Growing distrust in traditional political institutions

This has created fertile ground for:

• Populist and nationalist movements
• Rejection of expertise and established facts
• Attraction to strongman leaders promising simple solutions

Addressing inequality is crucial for strengthening democratic institutions and resisting the appeal of authoritarian alternatives.

Last updated: January 23, 2025

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