"The propaganda of the Third Reich and Putin uses the same methods"

The philosopher Andreas Buller wrote a book about what is common between Bolshevism, National Socialism and Putinism. So?

The book of the German philosopher of Soviet origin Andreas Buller “Moralism and the language of totalitarianism: Bolshevism, National Socialism, Putinism” was published. The author compares three totalitarian systems and finds a lot in common between them. But what exactly? And is it possible to talk about morality in the case of Hitler and Putin? On the request of the "cold" with Buller, journalist Alexei Slavin spoke about this.

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In your book, you compare Putin's regime with Bolshevism and National Socialism. What unites them?

-All three systems, Bolshevism, National Socialism and Putinism are totalitarian. They are united by support on group morality. For example, in the civil war, which unfolded in Russia in the 20th century, people belonging to the same culture and speak the same language, destroyed the same, relying on the theses of Marxism. Universal morality requires respect for every person and life, and in such systems they try to destroy it.

Pseudomoral of National Socialism has a racial basis. Its main thesis is the uniqueness of the German race. The support of Bolshevism in class, which was justified, for example, civil wars. Putinism is based on “traditional values” and “great history of the Russian people”, where there is also no place for universal morality.

The peak of National Socialism and Bolshevism was almost 70 years ago, and during this time the world has completely changed. Why did the denial of universal morality in modern Russia become possible?

-Due to propaganda , which, in particular, is sent to children from an early age. Recently, reports were released, of which the attitude to the development of independent thinking and self -awareness in children is understandable - most of the budget of Russian schools this year went to buy machine guns and grenades, while equipment for chemistry and physics lessons is several times less.

In my study, I came to the fact that the propaganda of the Third Reich and Putin is very similar, and to justify tyranny and establishing the dictatorship, the same methods are used. I looked at Hitler's quotes, and they very remind me of Putin's quotes. For example, before Germany attacked Poland and unleashed the Second World War, she substantiated her step by provocation by Poland and inhibition of the German minority on its territory.

What other similar features do you see?

-Firstly, symbolism. Hitler used the swastika, the current Russian authorities - the sign Z. It reminds many of the horrors of fascist Germany, some of which remained in the twentieth century, while others, unfortunately, migrated to our century.

Secondly, the assertion that the country is surrounded by enemies: in Russia, as in Germany, the tendency to condemn the "imperialists" of America and England began to develop.

Thirdly, the inviolability of the figure of the leader. Propaganda can talk about anything, but will never call Putin a “bunker grandfather” and will not indicate his mistakes.

And yet we live in an era when everyone has access to information. Why are people exposed to propaganda?

- A change in consciousness is systematically and leisurely, alternative points of view are practically not spread, most of the media is controlled by the state. I think that if Russia in one night was at the point where it is now, then people would be shocked. The German philologist [Victor] Clement, who was studying fascism, wrote that the words become poisonous, and people do not notice this. After a while, their body is poisoned.

In your study of national socialism, you say that totalitarianism is established through the unification of the language. Do you see such a trend in Russia now?

- Yes, schools, newspapers, television, official performances - the whole society begins to use a single "correct" rhetoric. The clipper figuratively designated this phenomenon as “Gleichzeitige Betätigung” - simultaneous inclusion. This resembles the flowering of wild fields, where thousands of flowers used to grow, and now, instead of all the variety, there is only one plant.

Despite this, in the summer Evgeny Prigozhin almost arranged a military coup . Why has a conflict within the system became possible in Russia?

- The emergence of the opposing force inside the system is inevitable if alternatives disappear. Even in Germany, for example, there was a resistance movement that made contact with the opposition.

The opposition cannot be completely removed from the country. And the conflict arises at the moment when people begin to doubt the correctness of the decisions of the chapter: big victims, lack of weapons, loss and inability to hold the territory. Prigozhin found the guilty - the Ministry of Defense.

In the chapter on Putinism, you write that after the outbreak of a full -scale war in Ukraine, the Russian authorities " dropped the mask of democracy . " What does it mean?

-Many Russians have already formed something like faith in the state, because it is impossible not to see and deny some facts. I do not know how to forgive the Putin's lie. For example, he said that he would never prolong the retirement age , or two days before the start of the invasion, he said that he was ready to negotiate. This lie has been going on for 20 years.

I write that the purpose of propaganda is not only to deceive a person, but also to destroy his moral basis. A person should follow only national interests or recognize only the theses of the Kremlin. People do not even think about the fact that in Russia morality was established by a person who has never studied this concept and has no idea about practical philosophy.

For example, Putin condemns sexual minorities. He believes that everything is in order when men go to war and kill each other, but not in order when they love each other.

Nevertheless, in Russia there is Alexander Dugin , who justifies the war from the point of view of moral philosophy. He says that the country is fighting for its survival and fights against globalism.

- In my study, I indicate that this philosophy in Russia is instrumentalized by power. Philosophy, as, by the way, religion, has long become instruments. Those thoughts that Dugin is engaged in is philosophical garbage. Philosophy should be independent, refer to relevant topics, have the right to talk freely about everything, be affordable.

The philosophy in the service of the Putin regime cannot afford to talk sensibly about political power in the Kremlin, it is impossible to speak about Putin’s acts, as well as to say about the immorality of his decisions.

People who were in power do not see prospects. On the one hand, they say that we do not need Western ethics and conscience, on the other hand, they rely on ethical categories, use them when they want to “restore justice” and compensate for the damage that they are constantly offended. After all, you can wage war if you can argue with its resentment.

Modern states can exist without propaganda?

- They can. I believe that there is no propaganda in Germany. There are two types of articles in the German press: some contain only dry facts, others can contain comments with different views. It is difficult to promote in such a press.

In Russia, total propaganda destroys a person as a person. Support and confidence in Putin, support of war, the spread of fake news prevents a person to form a balanced position. The poorer the population, the easier it is to manipulate intellectually.

German historian Christian Hardinghaus said that Putin’s comparison with Hitler is also a form of propaganda. That with all the horrors of Putin Hitler is still worse. What do you say?

- I do not agree with this. Historians are required to compare, this cannot be prohibited in free science. To silence is to go along the Putin line. And through comparisons, the researcher comes to his conclusions.

You can compare the political, economic, moral, moral systems, because there are parallels between them. Absolutely everything can be compared, and I tried to compare three regimes in the field of morality. Of course, I revealed a lot of differences. Hitler is an absolute racist, and I cannot say this about Putin. Nevertheless, he uses absolutely the same elements of propaganda, because for totalitarian states who want to subjugate the will of people, other methods do not exist.

Hitler claimed that no one needs to think, only if the matter does not concern how to fulfill the order. Other totalitarian systems strive for this.

In Russia, one person is in power: he determines its life, rewrites the constitution, begins wars, he has the strongest apparatus that eliminates protests, propaganda. This person has almost limitless power.

In Russia, many admit that war is a mistake, but they believe that in any situation*** "you have to be with your country . " How do you comment on such statements from an ethical point of view? *

- These are people who simply close their eyes and do not want to feel guilty. That is why it is important to talk about morality and morality. Having suppressed them, you can do anything with people - then the border between a person and an animal will be erased. Man is a terrible creature, because he kills when this is not necessary. Only morality can prevent this.

But many at the same time simply do not know that the army commits war crimes. Do you think people should share responsibility for the actions of the authorities, if people are constantly deceiving? Or is he the same victim of a totalitarian regime?

- I do not exclude that there are people who sincerely believe that Russia struck only on strategically important points, that the war was the need, that Ukrainians commit crimes. I have no right to blame them directly. Another thing is those who deliberately support Putin.

Here we are again forced to draw a parallel with Nazi Germany. German society did not feel guilty - guilt came after the war. If people in euphoria supported Hitler’s crimes, then they are also involved in this. This is the responsibility that must be divided into everyone. Hitler alone could not commit so many crimes - he needed public support. Those who rejoiced at the bombing of Ukrainian cities of women and children, those who helped and supported propaganda are also criminals. For me, these are morally fallen personalities.

Do you think Russian society can, after Putin’s regime is over, follow the development of German society and completely rethink itself?

- I think this is inevitable. Russian history is rich in tragedies, the country was not only an aggressor, but also a victim. You will need the power of self -determination, self -reflection. While the desire to win is dominated by, the population will not be able to reconsider their attitude. However, we can observe that doubts are growing, and sooner or later the day will come when we have to deal with all this.

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