Joe, Justin & Poutine want to go to war to raise their popularity rating!

For a few days, we have been particularly worried by the trend that we are witnessing from various leaders when they speak of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Like magicians, it seems like they are manipulating our perception so a war would suddenly appear on our television screen!

By Anne Farrell

Why do some politicians in North America and Europe wish for a war between Ukraine and Russia instead of pushing for diplomatic resolutions?

Here are some interesting arguments that I found in the book of Silvia Swinden, “From Monkey Sapiens to Homo intentional ”.

  • People who are worried about war watch more news programmes and are more aware of the existence of politicians.
  • During wars ordinary “critics” of the government’s policies become “traitors” and everybody is forced to close ranks behind their leader or run the risk to be seen as a “fifth column”.
  • During wars a particular group becomes “the enemy” therefore discrimination (and hence scapegoating) becomes respectable.
  • During wars the psychological profile of leaders can be easily changed to make the person appear stronger by the “saber rattling” language than surrounds a state of potential or actual war. There is also for politicians in charge of making decisions a much bigger media exposure. This works by creating repetition of the “brand name”. Invasion, Invasion!
  • During wars anything can be an issue of “national security”, therefore shady deals can be hidden from the public.
  • During wars people live in a state of fear and look for “strong” leaders to protect them. In exchange they are prepared to give up the civil guarantees and human rights they would want to take for granted in peacetime. For this reason a state of “war on COVID 19” has been declared by many states over the last two years.
  • During wars there is a shared experience that brings solidarity, identity, and belonging. In fact the politicians know that unless there is a death in the family or among friends, war can be quite exhilarating, in a “Roman circus link of way”.  Politicians also know that wars can increase their chances of re-election.
  • During wars some of the space normally occupied by celebrities, the role-models of the modern world is given to members of the armed forces. This improves recruitment into a high-risk profession that not many people in their right mind would wish to enter.
  • During wars human rights retreated, environmental awareness declined; space exploitation is left behind, science and technology is put at the service of destruction and alienation.

We have to understand that during war, the system is very well organized, and the big media promotes divisions, fear and violence, and this tendency prevents a change in the direction of events.

Given the dangerously irresponsible and irrational behavior that is observed in today’s world leaders, it is important to create a movement of people who are pushing for peace and nonviolence conflict resolution before irresponsible politicians start a war. It is important that peace and nonviolence conflict resolution is promoted by enough people so it could counterpoise the promotion of war and violence of the charismatic, the richest and the maddest leaders.

To achieve some results with peace and nonviolence conflict resolution we must revolutionize our way of thinking, our actions, and we must have the courage to radically change the relationship among nations.

We must say No to war to irresponsible politicians that want to raise their popularity!

We must say No to big media that wants to divide us and create new enemies!

We must join our forces and build a movement for global peace and nonviolence conflict resolution!