What Orwell Tells Us About Putin Today

Specifically, Orwell's Notes on Nationalism

Source: Wikimedia Commons

A surprising number of people blame the west for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.  “The west provoked it.” “The west failed to act for too long.”  “NATO expanded when it should have disbanded.”   

I heard and read it all so frequently that I wrote a piece on the flaws and gaps in its logic.  In that essay, I described how Putin is motivated by fear — a declining domestic economy in Russia, a strengthening liberal democracy in Ukraine (along Russia’s border).

But there is something more too.  George Orwell illustrated it in his Notes on Nationalism.  

It is something that happens to unchecked autocratic leaders who have been surrounded by “yes men” for too long.  It’s extreme nationalism.  Putin has made it clear in recent articles and speeches that this is not only about Ukraine (and therefore not solely about security concerns related to NATO expansion).  He wants the old Russian borders back.  He wants more power, more prestige, and more respect for Russia as a world power.

The desire to cement his and Russia’s legacy has caused the ex-KGB officer who was once described as a shrewd and strategic operator to act irrationally.  Emotionally.  Fearfully.  

The most frightening part is that Putin is so convinced that invading Ukraine is the first step in realizing a world order influenced by Russia that he is staying the course.  Despite the world isolating him more by the day, he has only dug in further.  Even as his forces have struggled mightily against what should be - on paper at least - a far inferior military power.