Under the global “capitalism”, no “cold war” is possible
Internet and the global media, lately, regularly report sad news about commenced or to be commenced “cold war” between the West and Russia. The war, even if it is called a “cold” war (and unfortunately, “hot” wars also happen in the world), is frenzy, and people’s and first of all the politicians’ manifestation of irrational mindset. Elements of such a mindset, today, can be observed in the elite of the main “players”: the United States and Russian, where often the stereotypes are stronger than the rational calculation. Which are these stereotypes?
American stereotype No. 1. “Our country has a global mission: to introduce democracy around the globe and respect for human rights. And if they do not want to live there, enjoying political freedoms, we would fight for these freedoms that we would not leave a stone on a stone in that country.” In fact, there are nations who prefer unfree, even slavery, and these nations should be left alone.
American stereotype No. 2. “Iran and Syria are our enemies.” This prejudice prevents the United States to form an alliance with these two countries and to put an end to the “Islamic state”, the activities of which, as I understand it, now, are contrary to the national interests of the US.
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American stereotype No. 3. “Russia should not be a superpower.” The titanic effort aimed at it contribute to the increasing influence of China, which, after all, can be much more dangerous for the United States.
Russian stereotype No. 1. “Russia can survive only in the status of an empire with its subject nations and territories.” There seems to be theoretically and practically proven that it is impossible in the 21st century, these territories need first to be conquered by weapon, and then, spent huge sums on them constantly, which is very far from any rational calculation.
Russian stereotype No. 2. “The Soviet Union lost the cold war, during which the malevolent Americans collapsed such a wonderful country like the Soviet Union, and now, the time to take revenge has come.” In fact, this country was not a wonderful one and collapsed due to absurd attempts of calling the communist utopia into life.
Russian stereotype No. 3. “EU Eastern Partnership program is aimed against Russia.” In fact, the “and-and” principle should operate here, which would possibly expand the free trade zones, resulting in many countries’ mutually beneficial cooperation. But no matter how many factors are there contributing to the “cold war”, it is difficult to predict the long- and decades lasting West-Russia confrontation, as it happened in 1945-1985.
The situation is totally different:
1/ Today, there is no ideological confrontation, “socialism” and “capitalism” do not fight against each other, and do not try to prove the benefits of one another. There is a capitalism on both sides of the “barricades”, a market economy, which is based on the exchange of goods and ideas. To the point, all kinds of sanctions are incompatible with this, by its essence, a healthy system.
2/ There is no confrontation of military alliances, you cannot compare CSTO with the “Warsaw Pact”, neither by the scale, nor by functions. In addition, the CSTO member states, seems, not to be ready to defend themselves and, if necessary, to carry out joint operations.
3/ Under the modern technologies, it is impossible to build an “iron curtain” between the “two camps”. Today, any person in the world, without much effort, can get comprehensive information about the events in every corner of the planet. Of course, there are people who continue sitting in front of the “zombo-bin”. Anyway, it is a matter of their choice. Givel all of this, I will allow myself to assume that there would be no cold war in the classical sense. The West-Russia tensions may last a few years, but eventually, one way or another, it would be resolved.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
