Putin's Message Resonating with Some American Conservatives

[Fiddytree]

Vladimir Putin is calling on the conservatives of the world to unite—behind him. The Kremlin leader's full-throated defense of Russia's "traditional values" and his derision of the West's "genderless and infertile" liberalism in his annual state-of-the-nation address last week was just the latest example of Putin attempting to place himself at the vanguard of a new "Conservative International."


"While his stance as a defender of traditional values has drawn the mockery of Western media and cultural elites, Putin is not wrong in saying that he can speak for much of mankind," conservative American commentator Patrick Buchanan wrote. "Putin may be seeing the future with more clarity than Americans still caught in a Cold War paradigm."
The 21st century, Buchanan adds, may be marked by a struggle pitting "conservatives and traditionalists in every country arrayed against the militant secularism of a multicultural and transnational elite."
Others on the American right, like Rod Dreher, a senior editor of the "American Conservative," also wrote favorably—albeit in a more nuanced manner—of Putin's speech. "Putin may be a cold-eyed cynic, but he’s also onto something," he wrote.

Vladimir Putin, Conservative Icon - Brian Whitmore - The Atlantic

It seems as though some American conservatives, though uncomfortable with his condemnation of political liberalism, have at least found his social message refreshing and lasting. Buchanan's embrace is not entirely surprising as he had framed himself as the populist cultural warrior, but what is interesting about that is that Putin's conservative ideology rejects the liberalism and populism of Buchanan.

 

[Ray410]

Putin is looking to surpass the Global Liberalism of a weak Obama and the failing US, in power, regardless of the message. From a global perspective, Pat Buchanan may be presenting an accurate summation of the future struggle facing an endangered West, to which Putin is going to direct his appeal.

Specious as it seems, it would be unwise to simply dismiss Putin's technique with the usual ridicule.

 

[reidster]

So.... what is wrong with social liberalism exactly?

 

[Ray410]

So.... what is wrong with social liberalism exactly?

Kind of an interesting thread with regard to Putin's motives that Fiddytree started. It would be interesting to let it go awhile before derailing it.

 

[Ben K.]

Let him have at it. Just like Communism, the ideas will defeat themselves.

Personal liberty is a runaway train.

 

[Linc]

We don't have to ask ourselves the question "How much worse" can the GOP get with their ODS.

They show it to us every day 24/7 with their spikes in treason in what our 2nd POTUS would have jailed long ago as Sedition, according to the law .

 

[Harshaw]

What idiots, especially Buchanan.

 

[Kobie]

I've seen a couple of posters here express admiration for Putin, mostly because he's Not Obama.

Putin is looking to surpass the Global Liberalism of a weak Obama and the failing US, in power, regardless of the message. From a global perspective, Pat Buchanan may be presenting an accurate summation of the future struggle facing an endangered West, to which Putin is going to direct his appeal.

Specious as it seems, it would be unwise to simply dismiss Putin's technique with the usual ridicule.

Funny that America is only "failing" when a Democrat is president.

 

[Hdreamz]

I've seen a couple of posters here express admiration for Putin, mostly because he's Not Obama.



Funny that America is only "failing" when a Democrat is president.

Before he was elected im pretty sure their was going to be some kind of socialist zombie apocalypse... Apparently business was good for tinned goods makers in the deep south...

 

[Fiddytree]

So.... what is wrong with social liberalism exactly?

Putin sees it as ruining the solidarity that was created by nationalism. It's an important concept, because he may have somehow attacked the "melting pot" notion as well, which was something American conservatives have long embraced before the coming of multiculturalism. To what extent he actually attacked the melting pot vs. multiculturalism's weaker form found in cultural pluralism is probably a large question. If he attacked the melting pot, it would not resonate with Americans, because Americans have a heritage of being a "new man" created from people's former father/mother lands. Many countries want to keep ethnic and cultural solidarity to an extent that Americans cannot identify with.

Then of course there is the viewpoint of the breakdown in the traditional family and the promotion and/or acceptance of homosexuality. That has been well-played out over the past many months, so I probably wouldn't need to elaborate there.

 

[Fiddytree]

What idiots, especially Buchanan.

To a large extent, I would agree. That being said, I enjoy reading critiques of liberalism writ large (the sort of critiques that would make most Americans uncomfortable-right or left), because they do have a point.

 

[Harshaw]

To a large extent, I would agree. That being said, I enjoy reading critiques of liberalism writ large (the sort of critiques that would make most Americans uncomfortable-right or left), because they do have a point.

To the extent that it ("liberalism," in all the meanings it can have) entirely forgets the good, practical reasons why some traditions exist, and the harm they were developed to prevent, I would agree. I don't think that's where Buchanan is, though, and I can think of much better role models than Putin.

 

[sangha]

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Pat Buchanan agrees with a dictator

 

[joG]

Vladimir Putin, Conservative Icon - Brian Whitmore - The Atlantic

It seems as though some American conservatives, though uncomfortable with his condemnation of political liberalism, have at least found his social message refreshing and lasting. Buchanan's embrace is not entirely surprising as he had framed himself as the populist cultural warrior, but what is interesting about that is that Putin's conservative ideology rejects the liberalism and populism of Buchanan. [/FONT][/COLOR]

I really don't know that conservatism is the Putin Challenge. More ominous might be his definite preference for and support of autocratic regimes.

The greatest danger he presents is that he seems to want a multi polar world order, which he can get by preventing the development of a global security architecture and organization.

 

[Verax]

Putin's a little late to the party with this strategy. LGBT will likely be universally accepted in the U.S. within the next 10 years and Russia will still be stuck in the 80's or 90's socially.

 

[US Conservative]

Putin's a little late to the party with this strategy. LGBT will likely be universally accepted in the U.S. within the next 10 years and Russia will still be stuck in the 80's or 90's socially.

You see this though the lens of an American liberal. Russia couldnt care less about your "social" issues, and since 1/2 of russia isnt even ethnically russian, and likely to be even MORE conservative, dont hold your breath.

 

[Verax]

You see this though the lens of an American liberal. Russia couldnt care less about your "social" issues, and since 1/2 of russia isnt even ethnically russian, and likely to be even MORE conservative, dont hold your breath.

I could care less about Russia, the U.S. is evolving away from his bid, is the point.

 

[US Conservative]

I could care less about Russia, the U.S. is evolving away from his bid, is the point.

And what does that have to do with either russia or putin? :roll:

 

[loader]

You certainly do not know but in Russia the concept of "right", "left" does not comply with generally accepted. "Conservatives" in the concept of Putin, these are people who think "big government", is the answer to all questions. And "liberals", supporters of "free market" and private businesses.

 

[Verax]

And what does that have to do with either russia or putin? :roll:

Is there something wrong with you?

 

[chromium]

Putin is merely "some american conservatives" since 1950s at least. The only difference is they don't and never will have as much unmitigated power. If anything, buchanan should emigrate to russia. He'd fit right in.

 

[Harshaw]

You certainly do not know but in Russia the concept of "right", "left" does not comply with generally accepted. "Conservatives" in the concept of Putin, these are people who think "big government", is the answer to all questions. And "liberals", supporters of "free market" and private businesses.

Yeah, it's the European dichotomy.

 

[Fiddytree]

You certainly do not know but in Russia the concept of "right", "left" does not comply with generally accepted. "Conservatives" in the concept of Putin, these are people who think "big government", is the answer to all questions. And "liberals", supporters of "free market" and private businesses.

Absolutely. That is incredibly basic stuff. It is so basic it can be taught to high school kids. In some ways, I personally adhere to that older brand of conservatism (albeit, hardly in any way purely).

However, Putin and Russia is also part of the Western heritage, where it is not engaging in a foreign dialogue when it is discussing liberalism. You can tell that when I said that American conservatives would be uncomfortable with his denunciation of political liberalism (as exemplified by our ideas which formed, for instance, the Bill of Rights) which puts a limit on the powers of government and promotes individual liberty.

This was why I also said that folks like Buchanan were perhaps more attracted to his brand of social conservatism, rather than his view on the proper role of government.

 

[Fiddytree]

Putin is merely "some american conservatives" since 1950s at least. The only difference is they don't and never will have as much unmitigated power. If anything, buchanan should emigrate to russia. He'd fit right in.

Buchanan is too much of an American to fit in with that. He would have to toss aside his 18th century liberal ideals first.