Menacing Power

A state based on democratic traditions and principles is a natural environment. One can take for granted an opportunity to express freely and realize wishes, and reflect on such a great benefit and achievement of human civilization as an opportunity to live and work in a democratic open society.

For seventy-four years, the Soviet Empire posed a real threat to the free world, forcing democracies to spend their material and moral resources on defending civilization from a merciless, menacing power. Inherently destructive, anti-human in objectives that its apologists forced upon the world, this power emerged and triumphed in defiance of common sense, and embodied man’s basest instincts. This power comprised every human sin in a concentrated form: envy of your neighbor’s achievements; meanness toward beauty and luxury; servility to dictators; sloth and passivity in resolving the most complex problems of existence; ruthlessness toward independent thought; narrowness of mind; and deception without limit.

This social doctrine could attract only the most naïve or ones with a distorted imagination.

Naturally, the democracies reacted with fear and took defensive measures to keep the virus infection of Communism out. Many times the civilized world was shocked when the Communist leaders proclaimed their global goal: establishing a worldwide dictatorship of the proletariat. These proclamations were supported by the Soviet bayonets, as they cut a wide swath through the Middle and Far East, through Latin America and Africa, through Europe and Asia. Yet, following the laws of nature, sooner or later the bubble had to burst. And helped by fortunate circumstances, burst it did. The collapse of the Empire at the dawn of the 21st century heralded a new era: one of global openness of human civilization.

It might seem that, with victory achieved, the world can take a deep breath and focus on common problems: the environment, genetic and acquired diseases and various humanitarian projects. Unfortunately, as has often happened in history, certain features of the old regime have persisted in newly independent states. Due to lack of a democratic tradition, these states were taken over by members of the former Communist élite, dictators vastly experienced in political intrigue. Disguised as democrats, they have successfully overcome the initial mistrust of the West and took their seats at the table of civilized nations. They clamored for social justice yesterday, and today they ‘affirm’ free-world principles, while they continue to keep their people in spiritual and material slavery.

From “Path to Democracy“ (published in 1997)

To Be Continued