The common reaction to a Westerner criticizing the West and defending China or Russia is, "so, why don't you live there?" That is supposed to pass for logic and "right" thinking. And to equate this attitude with the purported attitude of the foreign country you defend, or others universally condemned brings on bemusement and bewilderment. A subtle shaking of the head. So while we lose, and have done for some time now our basic rights as human beings to food and shelter security, to health care, education and jobs, these other "condemnable" countries are providing them. It comes down to semantics and use of language, to false propaganda-induced pride and fetishization of democracy, where flags and anthems, statutory holidays, statues and rituals are substituted for tangible and necessary goods and services. And it works - until it doesn't work anymore. King Charles and Western political leaders are counting on it working forever.
The common reaction to a Westerner criticizing the West and defending China or Russia is, "so, why don't you live there?" That is supposed to pass for logic and "right" thinking. And to equate this attitude with the purported attitude of the foreign country you defend, or others universally condemned brings on bemusement and bewilderment. A subtle shaking of the head. So while we lose, and have done for some time now our basic rights as human beings to food and shelter security, to health care, education and jobs, these other "condemnable" countries are providing them. It comes down to semantics and use of language, to false propaganda-induced pride and fetishization of democracy, where flags and anthems, statutory holidays, statues and rituals are substituted for tangible and necessary goods and services. And it works - until it doesn't work anymore. King Charles and Western political leaders are counting on it working forever.