The apocalyptic vision behind Putin's 'golden billion' argument

[applegrove]

The apocalyptic vision behind Putin’s ‘golden billion’ argument

Analysis by Adam Taylor, Reporter

July 22, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

https://www.washingtonpost.com//world/2022/07/22/putin-golden-billion-russia/?utm_campaign=wp_todays_worldview&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_todayworld&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3771c32%2F62da2288cfe8a21601fdfee0%2F596ff74c9bbc0f57fef77640%2F11%2F63%2F62da2288cfe8a21601fdfee0

"SNIP......

For Russian President Vladimir Putin, a two-word phrase sums up the current state of world geopolitics: “golden billion.” Speaking this week in Moscow, Putin declared that the “model of total domination of the so-called golden billion is unfair. Why should this golden billion of all the population on the globe dominate over everyone and impose its own rules of behavior?”

The golden billion “divides the world into first- and second-class people and is therefore essentially racist and neocolonial,” Putin continued Wednesday, adding that “the underlying globalist and pseudo-liberal ideology is becoming increasingly more like totalitarianism and is restraining creative endeavor and free historical creation.”

For most readers in the United States or Europe, a “golden billion” probably means nothing. But in Russia, this phrase has been around for decades as a doom-saying shorthand to describe a future battle for resources between a global elite and Russians. And since February, the Russian government has been deploying the theory to argue that Russia’s isolation after its invasion of Ukraine was not because of its actions — but because of an inevitable global conspiracy against it.

These complaints about inequality may seem rich coming from a man who has led an invasion that could help partially restore an empire, who has clung to power for decades while banishing his biggest opponent to prison and whose personal wealth was once estimated to be $200 billion. But at least some members of the Russian government seem to sincerely believe in the ethos behind these theories. And it may not just be Russians who find the idea persuasive.

.......SNIP"

[applegrove]

1. I wonder what the MAGA base thinks of this new history and pov.

[fierywoman]

2. Putin & co. are card-carrying members of the golden billion.

[AntiFascist]

3. More like the Golden Billionaires, AKA the Oligarchs n/t

[applegrove]

4. They always run a narrative that makes them a hero to those without.

Last edited Fri Jul 22, 2022, 06:26 AM - Edit history (4)

When Putin ruled in Eastern Ukraine the last 7 years he stole all the profits for him and his oligarch friends. The eastern Ukrainians had to survive on a pittance. It is not Putin who wants to bring middle class life to the world. That is a liberal UN thing. As with these psychopaths the opposite than what they say is the truth. So now he will destabilize less developed nations who are trying to reform things like health and reform corruption and give them some pipe dream that will result in autocracy. Of course the liberals want 9 Billion to die off in Putin's false narrative. Typical false narrative asking all the 'little people' to be heroes ..... and it will only result in corruption for them and their families and their demise. Same with MAGA.

Best for emerging economies to keep on the liberal path to good governance and historical reconciliation. The thing that will fight climate change is that girls get educated and have access to birth control, of all kinds. In every country in the world when you have both of those birth rates fall. Population decline will be a choice. It is the liberal way.

The autocratic path will be to block climate refugees and keep any riches for the Russian and American oligarchs. Nothing will be left for a middle class purposely as that will keep all the power in the utocrats hands. No investment in new infrastructure to mitigate climate crisis. Nothing for good schools as a smart public is a threat to the powerful. Health care would be only a privilege. Disease would be seen as an opportunity. A hellscape.

[Mr.Bill]

5. Even if I agreed with him,

I don't think mudering thousands of innocent civilians in a neighboring country is the solution.