Vlad's Sociopolitical Update 231130

 
Good day, fellow Bulbers :) 

Here is the recent version of the "Vlad's sociopolitical update" regarding developments worldwide. I am interested in different topics, and if you have some favorite topic, please write to me about it, and I will try to publish about it later. Here are some of my recent reads. 

The Unpopulist: Aaron Ross Powell writes that liberalism and Buddhism have much in common. Buddhism, originating with the historical figure Siddhattha Gotama, the Buddha, centers on alleviating suffering through ethical development, mental training, and introspection. Liberalism, a recent European ideology, champions individual freedoms protected by government institutions.

The convergence of Buddhism and liberalism is illuminated through shared values, particularly the Buddhist principles of harmlessness and impermanence. Pursuing a unique form of happiness in Buddhism aligns with liberal interpersonal ethics, emphasizing the prohibition of harm. The ethical conduct prescribed by Buddhism, encompassing refraining from harm and following the Five Precepts, resonates with liberal ideals of individual rights and the establishment of just governance.

The Eightfold Path in Buddhism, focusing on the right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration, mirrors the liberal commitment to ethical behavior and self-discipline. Both philosophies advocate for institutions formed through consent, applying rules equally, even to rulers.

Often misunderstood, the core Buddhist concept of karma serves as a theory of cause and effect, aligning with liberalism's emphasis on individual responsibility. The shared understanding of impermanence and the interconnectedness of all beings leads to the recognition that embracing diversity and change is essential for Buddhism and liberalism.
The rejection of illiberalism, which denies the dynamic nature of the world, reflects the
Buddhist insight that suffering arises from craving and clinging to an imaginary perfect state.

Social conservatism, attempting to maintain an imagined permanence, and utopian planning, seeking engineered permanence, are seen as contrary to Buddhism and liberalism.
Ultimately, the author asserts a personal conviction in Buddhism as the right path to ending suffering, concurrently valuing liberalism for its commitment to individual rights and peaceful coexistence. The synthesis of Buddhism and liberalism offers a compelling perspective on pursuing happiness and alleviating suffering in a dynamically changing world.



The Conversation: Professor Aurelien Mondon writes that recent occurrences with Javier Milei in Argentina and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands underscore the rising wave of populist movements challenging liberal democracies. A paradox unfolds as Nigel Farage and Pauline Hanson find themselves on reality TV shows, diverting attention from their political ideologies.
Critically, the media's portrayal of far-right leaders in non-political contexts, such as reality TV, serves to humanize them, inadvertently normalizing their extreme views. The real danger lies in this portrayal and the exaggerated coverage of their "shocks." The resurgence of reactionary politics is not a surprise but a foreseeable consequence of longer-term trends.

The term "populism" further muddles the discourse, often obscuring the far-right nature of these movements. The casual use of "populist" instead of more accurate descriptors like "far-right" or "racist" lends an unwarranted veneer of democratic support. This linguistic choice fosters what is termed "reactionary democracy," erasing the elitist core of these ideologies.


The mainstream media plays a pivotal role in the mainstreaming and normalization of far-right ideas. Platforming and legitimizing these ideas under the guise of opposition contribute to their acceptance within the mainstream. The media's framing of issues, as seen in The Guardian's series on "the new populism," influences public perception and language usage.
The far right is not an external force but deeply rooted within society's structural inequalities.

Academic discussions often sidestep issues of race and whiteness, framing research away from these critical aspects. Acknowledging the mainstream's role in mainstreaming far-right ideologies necessitates self-reflection and self-criticism. Those shaping public discourse, whether in media, politics, or academia, bear a particular responsibility toward democracy and must avoid sitting on the fence.
 
 
Bitcoin.com: In a recent development, Nigerian law enforcement has apprehended a politician, Wilfred Bonse, on charges of laundering digital funds stolen from Patricia Technologies in May. The crypto platform suffered a massive loss of over $2 million when hackers infiltrated its system.

Wilfred Bonse, implicated in the complex crime, is accused of fraudulently transferring more than $60,000 from the stolen funds, totaling $750,000, to his bank account. Patricia Technologies CEO Hanu Fejiro expressed satisfaction with the arrest, noting that the recovered funds would significantly benefit Patricia users affected by the breach.

Allegedly, Bonse conspired to launder Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) originating from the fraudulent diversion of Six Hundred and Seven Million Naira (N607,000,000) from Patricia Technology company's account to his bank account, facilitated through a cryptocurrency wallet.

The arrest is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to address cybercrime and secure justice for victims of digital theft in Nigeria.
 
Cosmopolitan Globalist:
Ten years ago, on November 21, 2013, the Maidan movement in Kyiv, Ukraine, was ignited by journalist Mustafa Nayyem's call for protest against President Yanukovych's refusal to sign an EU association agreement. The movement, known as the Revolution of Dignity, led to Yanukovych's ousting but was followed by Russia's annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas.

Despite initial hopes for a frozen conflict, Putin's reliance on external enemies persisted, leading to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year. The ongoing conflict highlights Ukrainians' unwavering demand for the freedom they fought for during Maidan.
Reflecting on similar struggles, the Rose Revolution in Georgia 20 years ago resulted in pro-Western Mikheil Saakashvili's rise to power. However, Russia's invasion in 2008 and the current pro-Kremlin Georgian Dream party's suppression thwart the country's aspirations to join the EU.

Mass protests erupted in 2020 in Belarus after Lukashenko's disputed election victory. Despite initial resistance, Lukashenko's brutality prevailed, leaving many in prison or forced to flee. Ukrainians and Georgians understand the consequences of yielding to such oppression.
 
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