WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT RUSSIAN CULTURE

18 October 2024

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2024/10/18/germany-must-shed-its-reputation-as-europes-soft-underbelly/

Since this article talks about russian and german culture, it's worth noting that they are similar in many ways that might surprise us.

We hear nothing but negative bitter crit of all things russian these days, but it is worth considering whether russia could play a useful and positive role 

a) counter balancing the very negative influence of america on us europeans and more generally, could russia save us from the decline of the west? and 

b) whether conservative-minded readers of this blog might not find we have rather more in common with russian culture than we would like to admit...Worth thinking about? Ok, read on Horatio...

If you offer russian people the choice between their existing culture and a liberal-democratic culture as largely found across Europe, you can be sure you would immediately be shown the door. They had a bellyfull of that in the 1990s.

Instead, Russia offers a communal, nationalist ethos - a cultural and societal mindset that emphasises the collective identity and unity of a nation, often placing the interests and values of the group or community above those of the individual.

Russia's alternative cultural model is resistant to neoliberalism, much like Germany's in some respects. Remember that neoliberalism is not the same as liberalism, neoliberalism is what has given us all these forever wars, i believe Germany is no longer a threat in that respect..

It may surprise you to learn that Russia is a democratic society. You can see that from the polls, which give Putin a consistent near-80% popularity. But while it is democratic (hooraaaay), it is also to some extent authoritarian (boooooh), and you can tell this by the poor treatment of minorities and from the composition of the governing class, which tends to be drawn from the oligarchs (but don't think that democracy in europe is any better! certainly not in the EU).

From what I can work out, russia offers a traditional culture, a nationalist spirit, a diverse though well integrated society (ethnically and religiously, russians are majority orthodox Christian from the days of bizantium, but has a large Muslim population in the caucases,

from the days I think of the ottomans), patriarchal by family type, meaning a somewhat rude authoritarian political culture, but is at the same time a popular democracy. 

It is alleged to share with Germany, however, a certain violent family type, supposedly originating in "droit de cuissage", but from examining the historical record, this looks like a myth. Widespread violence in the family does lead to extremes in political culture, we know about that and which I cannot name, but let's just say it is expressed in n and c.

I don't see much wrong with a nationalist, conservative, traditional and religious culture, hopefully not too exaggerated, though I would prefer a liberal democracy that is real and not just the marketing propaganda of an elite class; and I can see a big boon in having a counter-weight to american influence in europe and a brake on our further decline into poverty and decadence.

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THE SURVIVORS' CLUB

14 October 2024

I'm here at my local café with friends and it's like a real survivors club. The atmosphere is intense, try to imagine - everyone's telling their stories.

Like trying to navigate the Main Street in a flat bottom boat when you've got doors and toilets seats and furniture sailing down and hitting you.

The water was five meters above river level. A metre in the street. It forced in all the shop fronts and demolished walls.

The power and water has only just come back on. The pumps weren't working, so a metre of water came into your house and turned your tables and chairs and fridges upside down, saturated your mattresses, your bedding, what would you do? 

So everyone's exhausted from cleaning up and especially dealing with the trauma of the last two weeks, it's been very emotional for some. 

Certain have worked nonstop, leading relief efforts, setting the example; others are grateful to have someone to figure out the next steps.

I was very lucky. The property manager organised the resistance and the cleanup fterwards. The staff have been magnificent and the residents who stayed made a close community.

I was lucky to escape the worst by going to my hotel in the mountains, but now we’re back and all sticking together to get through this. 

Hope nothing like this ever hits you!

Post script

Why it's not a good idea to walk home in a flooded street on the pavement....it's better to walk in the middle of the road.

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HOW FAMILY STRUCTURE INFLUENCES THE VALUES AND ORGANISATION OF A SOCIETY

25 August 2024

How different family structures can produce different ways of organising society.

1. Overview of Family Structures and Their Influence

- Family Structures and Society:  

Family structures are fundamental. They shape values, political systems, and social organisation. Through a process of trial and error, people will develop and repeat solutions to problems they face and from this repeat behaviour come values and rituals.

Even as societies develop, these structures continue to impact political behaviour and attitudes toward authority and individualism.

- Regional Comparisons:  

By examining different family structures across regions, we can understand why certain political systems thrive in some societies but not in others.  

This perspective helps us grasp global power dynamics and the cultural factors that influence governance and social organisation.

2. Understanding Family Structures and Political Systems

- Definition of Family Structure:  

A family structure refers to the patterns of authority, inheritance rules, and relationships among family members.

- Impact on Society:  

Different family structures lead to different values, political organisations, and ideologies (belief systems).  

These varied beliefs and values result in different societal goals, organisational methods, policies, and actions.

3. Examples of Family Structures and Their Consequences

- Absolute Nuclear Family:  

Common in Northwestern Europe.

This structure is highly autonomous, with minimal emphasis on extended family ties.  

It fosters individualism, liberal democracy, and egalitarian values.

The United Kingdom is a good example of the Absolute Nuclear Family organisation.

- Egalitarian Nuclear Family:  

Found in countries like France and Spain.  

This structure balances individualism with social responsibility.  

It promotes values aligned with republicanism and social equality.

For example, France’s emphasis on secularism and egalitarianism.

- Authoritarian Family:  

Typical in Southern Italy, Russia, and East Asia.  

This structure emphasises hierarchy and respect for authority.

It leads to centralised, autocratic governance.  

Russia’s strong, paternalistic leadership is a reflection of the Authoritarian Family model.

- Community Family:  

Predominant in parts of Eastern Europe and China.  

This structure promotes collectivism and communal responsibility, prioritising collective welfare over individual rights.  

Traditional Chinese society exemplifies the Community Family model.

- Endogamous Community Family:  

Found in the Arab world and parts of Southern India.  

This structure features strong internal cohesion through practices like cousin marriage. Such societies often have fragmented political systems with strong local power structures.

Examples in the tribal and clan-based societies of the Middle East. Eg Shia and Sunni groups in Bahraini where society is split and a Sunni minority rules over a majority Shia people.

STRUKTUR KELUARGA DAN PENGARUH TERHADAP PENGORGANISASIAN MASYARAKAT

Bagaimana Struktur Keluarga yang Berbeda Dapat Menghasilkan Cara Pengorganisasian Masyarakat yang Berbeda

1. Gambaran Umum tentang Struktur Keluarga dan Pengaruhnya

Here is the translation of your text into Indonesian:

Struktur keluarga sangat mendasar. Mereka membentuk nilai-nilai, sistem politik, dan organisasi sosial. Melalui proses coba-coba, orang akan mengembangkan dan mengulangi solusi untuk masalah yang mereka hadapi, dan dari perilaku yang berulang ini muncul nilai-nilai dan ritual.  

Meskipun masyarakat berkembang, struktur-struktur ini terus mempengaruhi perilaku politik dan sikap terhadap otoritas dan individualisme.

- Perbandingan Regional:  

Dengan memeriksa struktur keluarga yang berbeda di berbagai wilayah, kita dapat memahami mengapa sistem politik tertentu berkembang di beberapa masyarakat tetapi tidak di yang lain.  

Pendekatan ini membantu kita memahami dinamika kekuatan global dan faktor budaya yang mempengaruhi pemerintahan dan organisasi sosial.

2. Memahami Struktur Keluarga dan Sistem Politik

- Definisi Struktur Keluarga:  

Struktur keluarga mengacu pada pola otoritas, aturan warisan, dan hubungan antara anggota keluarga.

- Dampak pada Masyarakat:  

Struktur keluarga yang berbeda menghasilkan nilai-nilai, organisasi politik, dan ideologi (sistem kepercayaan) yang berbeda.  

Kepercayaan dan nilai-nilai yang bervariasi ini menghasilkan tujuan masyarakat, metode organisasi, kebijakan, dan tindakan yang berbeda.

3. Contoh Struktur Keluarga dan Konsekuensinya

- Keluarga Nuklir Absolut:  

Umum di Eropa Barat Laut, seperti di Inggris.  

Struktur ini sangat otonom, dengan penekanan minimal pada hubungan keluarga besar.  

Ini mendorong individualisme, demokrasi liberal, dan nilai-nilai egaliter.

- Keluarga Nuklir Egalitarian:  

Ditemukan di negara-negara seperti Prancis dan Spanyol.  

Struktur ini menyeimbangkan individualisme dengan tanggung jawab sosial.  

Ini mempromosikan nilai-nilai yang selaras dengan republikanisme dan kesetaraan sosial, seperti yang terlihat dalam penekanan Prancis pada sekularisme dan egalitarianisme.

- Keluarga Otoriter:  

Tipikal di Italia Selatan, Rusia, dan Asia Timur.  

Struktur ini menekankan hierarki dan penghormatan terhadap otoritas, yang mengarah pada pemerintahan otokratis yang terpusat.  

Sistem politik Rusia yang kuat dan paternalistik mencerminkan model Keluarga Otoriter.

- Keluarga Komunitas:  

Dominan di beberapa bagian Eropa Timur dan Cina.  

Struktur ini mempromosikan kolektivisme dan tanggung jawab komunal, yang sering kali mengutamakan kesejahteraan kolektif daripada hak individu.  

Masyarakat tradisional Tiongkok merupakan contoh model Keluarga Komunitas.

- Keluarga Komunitas Endogami:  

Ditemukan di dunia Arab dan beberapa bagian India Selatan.  

Struktur ini memiliki kohesi internal yang kuat melalui praktik seperti pernikahan sepupu.  

Masyarakat semacam ini sering kali memiliki sistem politik yang terfragmentasi dengan struktur kekuasaan lokal yang kuat, seperti yang terlihat di masyarakat suku dan klan di Timur Tengah.

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