Morning Comrades.
Alexei Navalny died this past weekend and that entire reality, the sickening manufactured response by way too many people was a Class A case study of how our capitalist “masters” manufacture consent. Considering that this benign, soft power of their rule play a significant part of their rule, a few words.
It is one part, of this work, to identify the hard power of our enemies, their laws, their courts, their police and in some instances their militaries. An important part to be sure, yet, one, that at this stage of our collective liberatory existence, cannot in any realistic ways and means be dealt with effectively. Logically, and in Gramsci’s footsteps we deal with their “soft power” - for one, it “feels” easier or less physically harmful, which is only true if you are ineffective - which is how we are going to get to Assange and Navalny and secondly, it is more “immediate”, another one of these horrid traits in our propagandized brains.
To clarify what Soft Power means: Capitalist soft power refers to the ability of capitalist nations, corporations, and institutions to exert influence, shape perceptions, and advance their interests through non-coercive means, such as cultural, economic, and ideological persuasion. Unlike traditional forms of power, which rely on military force or economic coercion, soft power operates through attraction, persuasion, and the dissemination of values, ideas, and norms.
Cultural Influence: Capitalist nations, particularly those in the West, wield significant cultural influence through the export of popular culture, including music, films, television shows, fashion, and digital media. Hollywood movies, American television series, and Western brands often serve as vehicles for promoting capitalist values, consumerism, and lifestyle choices worldwide.
Economic Dominance: The economic prowess of capitalist nations and multinational corporations enables them to extend their influence through economic integration, investment, aid, and trade relations. Through economic partnerships, foreign aid programs, and development initiatives, capitalist countries can leverage their economic resources to influence policy decisions, shape market dynamics, and expand their sphere of influence.
Ideological Hegemony: Capitalist ideology, grounded in principles of free markets, private property, individualism, and economic liberalism, often serves as the dominant ideological framework underpinning global governance, economic policies, and international relations. Through institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organization (WTO), capitalist nations promote neoliberal policies, deregulation, privatization, and austerity measures as the path to development and prosperity.
Technological Dominance: Capitalist nations, particularly those at the forefront of technological innovation, wield significant influence through the dissemination of technology, digital platforms, and information networks. Companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Apple not only dominate global markets but also shape public discourse, influence political outcomes, and control access to information, thereby extending the reach of capitalist soft power.
Educational and Cultural Exchanges: Capitalist nations often promote educational and cultural exchanges as a means of fostering goodwill, building relationships, and promoting their values abroad. Programs such as Fulbright scholarships, academic exchanges, and cultural diplomacy initiatives serve to cultivate ties, promote understanding, and project a favorable image of capitalist societies.
This is precisely how we arrive the point of Navalny and to some extent for comparison’s sake, Assange.
In contemporary Western democracies, the identification of heroes and villains plays a pivotal role in shaping societal narratives, political discourse, and cultural ethos. From the revered figures of historical significance to the vilified adversaries of the present day, the construction of these archetypes reflects power dynamics, ideological hegemony, and class struggles within society.
Identification of Heroes and Villains: In Western democracies, the identification of heroes often aligns with figures who champion capitalist interests, uphold the status quo, and reinforce dominant narratives. These heroes are typically glorified through historical revisionism, media representation, and institutionalized education, portraying them as paragons of virtue and progress. Conversely, villains are constructed as threats to the established order, challenging capitalist hegemony, advocating for social justice, or embodying alternative ideologies. This dichotomy serves to reinforce existing power structures, marginalize dissent, and justify the perpetuation of inequality.
To Navalny’s supporters, he represented the vanguard of democratic reform, fighting against corruption, authoritarianism, and oligarchic control. However, to the Kremlin and its allies, Navalny is depicted as a destabilizing force, funded by Western powers to foment unrest and undermine Russian sovereignty. This portrayal reflects geopolitical tensions, ideological divides, and competing narratives of power. In reality he presented no viable threat to the Putin Machine, utilized ultra-nationalist, racist and fascist tropes to garner support for his work. If he was in-fact a western asset is entirely irrelevant, any opponent to the manufactured and necessary boogie man to Western Capital interest will garner support at home through its soft power mechanism for the simply reason of offering potential economic control of new territory.
Let us absolutely not forget how the US and the rest of NATO supported Yeltzin in his coup and manufactured an image of a happy drunk Russian bear whilst they pillaged the defunct Soviet Union. The reverse hatred on both sides of the fence, between the US and Russian ruling class is the logical, psychological conclusion of an abusive relationship ending, lest we forget the decade long attempts by Putin to come back to the toxic arms of the West. On that note, the same needs to be said about the latest “conversion” of Tucker Carlson, having spent a few days in Moscow after his infamous Putin interview, now speaking in the highest tones of the country. All that means is an attempt of the US’ soft power to normalize relations with Putin in the hope of being able to face China in their absolute deranged manifestation of Manifest Destiny.
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, occupies a complex position within Western democracies. To some, he embodies the principles of transparency, accountability, and freedom of information, making him a hero challenging state secrecy and corporate power. However, to others, particularly those in positions of authority, he is portrayed as a villain, threatening national security, endangering lives, and undermining diplomatic relations. This dichotomy reflects the divergent perspectives shaped by capitalist interests and state control over information dissemination.
The process of manufacturing consent surrounding Julian Assange involves a concerted effort by Western governments and corporate media to discredit his work, demonize his character, and justify his persecution. Through smear campaigns, character assassination, and legal persecution, Assange is portrayed as a dangerous renegade, rather than a journalist exposing government wrongdoing. This manufactured consent serves to delegitimize his work, discourage dissent, and reinforce the narrative of state secrecy as necessary for national security.
At the core of the hero-villain dichotomy surrounding Assange and Navalny are underlying motives driven by capitalist hegemony, geopolitical rivalries, and state control. Assange's vilification serves to protect state secrets, preserve the status quo, and deter future whistleblowers, while Navalny's valourization serves to advance Western interests, weaken Russian influence, and promote the narrative of democracy promotion abroad.
To cut a long story short, yes, in absolute Orwellian terms, “War is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength” - whatever your chosen “leaders” say is most likely the opposite of truth. Strict binary concepts of “right” and “wrong”, “good” and “evil” most exclusively exist to support the current ruling class’ hold on power, or in soft power terms, what “the right thing to do” is - total horseshit. Our existence outside the existence of physics is anything but binary and we have to treat it as such. As a rule of thump, whenever our “leaders” say “do this”, a safe and smart bet is to do nothing, think for a moment and then find out where they live.
We serve the Revolution,
Yours, warmly,
V.