Import substitution of protest. Why are rallies against Putin and Trump so similar to each other?

Photo: Alexander Miridonov / Kommersant; Barcroft Media / TASS

Irritation must be distinguished from rage: to prepare caustic posters, it takes time, which is usually enough for emotions somewhat weakened. No wonder in 2011 at the first protest rally in Moscow - in the evening after the election - the humor had no place. Not to laughter and those who, due to Trump’s actions, are stuck in American airports.

Photo: Pavel Kassin / Kommersant; Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

There is a fairly obvious reason why the protest energy in both cases is spilled exclusively in creative - funny posters and outfits. Both in Russia and in the USA, the movement does not have a clear and separated by all the political goal. The slogan "For honest elections" successfully mobilized people - however, what was meant by it? The desire to achieve a recount of votes, an immediate change in power to a more honest one? During the confrontation, it quickly became clear that the masses were not ready to risk and put fundamental requirements, as a result of which the protest was broken.

Photo: Maxim Polyakov / Kommersant; Henry Romero / Reuters

The same thing happens today in America: what, in fact, do people want to achieve on the streets? Impercation to the newly elected president? But on what basis? He was elected by law, and so far there are no formal grounds for his resignation. As in the Russian case, a protest without a specific purpose (which will inevitably require victims) can eventually turn into self -love.

Photo: Stepan Opull / Republic; Christinne Muschi / Reuters

When the demonstrators are filled with the feeling “it's great that we all gathered here today”, the protest loses political potential. Madonna can scream from the rostrum that he wants to blow up the White House, but when nothing follows the words, they lose strength. On the contrary, specific objections to the ban on entry for citizens of Muslim countries were immediately effective.

Photo: Maxim Novikov / TASS; Peter Nicholls / Reuters

The fact that the masses in Russia and America speak the same language and use the same symbols in places, a sign that the processes in both countries are similar. In the same row, many other countries can be put - today's protests were largely formed by the international OcCupy movement eight years ago.

Photo: Maxim Kashulinsky / Republic; Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

The disposition is the same: the crossed borders of the authorities are opposed by invalid angry citizens who require justice and respect. Looking at the American demonstrators, it is time to get rid of the illusion that in the distant West there is a “correct democracy”, which we can’t grow up to. Protesters are similar to each other, because their emotions, their political situation and their problems are similar. These problems are global in nature and are unlikely to be resolved within a separate state. No wonder people in many countries of the world came out against the American president. The manifestants in different countries have learned to hear each other and echoes - it is logical to assume that sooner or later they will try to unite their ranks.

Photo: Pavel Kassin / Kommersant; Jason Redmond / Reuters