Countries behaviour / mentality versus countries ruling class direction; Economic constraints vs Ideas
Following Russia’s war against Ukraine, public debate has tended to crystallize into two major narratives—pro-Russian and pro-Ukraine. Some argue that a third, “neutral,” narrative exists. Yet when examined closely, this position often aligns with the pro-Russian stance, framing the invasion as an internal matter that others should not interfere with. However, this debate is not what struck me most. What deserves attention is how mass media routinely speaks of “countries” as if they were unified actors with singular opinions. In reality, these narratives represent the positions of ruling classes—political elites, governing parties, and decision-makers—who set national direction. If we look at history, we are reminded that large political shifts rarely begin as grand designs. Instead, they often emerge from small actions or failures to act, first by individuals, then by small groups, growing gradually like a snowball until they produce changes that affect the lives of millions. ...