Social and ideological dimensions of WWIII

The ongoing escalation of the financial/economic sanctions on Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, and the continuing bombardment of Ukraine are indicative that there is already a new Cold War, together with the Warm World War III in Europe. The defensive relocations of strategic/tactical production of computer chips and critical war materials, and the flood of propaganda, fake news, and disinformation, only means the progression of these conflicts in all fronts. China’s aggression in the South China Sea and North Korea’s unabated missiles tests are added provocations.

While the Russian invasion of Ukraine is portrayed by Putin as a geographic defensive move to contain the EU/NATO expansion into the Russian territory, the underlying reason is his fear of the increasing democratization of Eastern Europe, which may spread to the remaining members of the Russian Federation, and eventually to Russia. The Ukraine invasion is really a war between Democracy and Autocracy, and so is the cold war of the US/EU/Japan and other western countries against Russia/China/North Korea and Iran. The western alliance is predominantly democratic while the other side is autocratic.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, democratic states/countries have increased and progressed due to economic growth which enlarged the middle class, and the advent of information and communication technologies which made people more informed. Totalitarian kings, nobles, dynasties, and military strongmen have to contend with the bigger and louder voices of their people. The breakup of the USSR, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the EDSA People Power Revolution were solid indicators of the trend. Even the rise of China as an economic superpower was due to economic democratization/liberalization that allowed more liberty/freedom to their people. The remaining autocratic governments are aware of this democratization direction and are pushing back using political and economic repression. Strengthening their military and starting a war is part of their strategy to contain dissent and maintain autocratic control. This is the ideological dimension of WWIII.

The reason why the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not achieved in weeks or months as compared to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in a matter of weeks, is the social dimension of wars. The Ukrainians are defending their way of life which will be totally erased by annexation into Russia. They were once part of the USSR and experienced communist rule before they became an independent nation. They had progressed to become a major producer and exporter of agricultural products and were abreast in the scientific and technological developments of Europe and other advanced countries. Their lifestyle was just slightly behind that of advanced European countries. In contrast, only a small minority of Afghans had experienced freedom and an improving way of life. They have been constantly warring among themselves and against the Russians, that there was no way of life to fight for or to protect. The 141 countries in the United Nations that condemned and asked Russia to stop the Ukraine invasion are those that will protect and fight for their way of life.

Embedded in these ideological and social dimensions of WWIII, is the moral principle of truth and justice which are the necessary components for social order and progress. People can trust and work together in a peaceful society, only if truth and justice are present. Even with the shortcomings and difficulties of democracy history has proven that truth and justice are more prevalent and better in a democratic society.

The March 2, 2023 column of Atty. J.B. Jimenez about freedom for Senator De Lima is a prime example of justice and truth in a democratic society like the Philippines. We, the people, should fight for it.