Looking at the build up of aggression in Ukraine, this is a classic example of ‘strong man’ politics, says author and political commentator Ece Temelkuran.
This is so typical of strong man phenomenon, they take their chance, they strike a punch at the institutions, at international law and see whether the tiger is made of paper or not.
Author and political commentator Ece Temelkuran spoke to Emma Barnett at BBC Woman’s Hour, radio magazine programme in which the build up of aggression in Ukraine and whether this is a classic example of ‘strong man’ politics is discussed.
Hightlights from her words:
“The role of strong men in politics in this particular escalation at this time. The excuses for war have never been proportionate to the dimension of tragedy inflicted upon humanity but this one in particular is really absurd. Putin has been mocking the entire world for months in a reluctant, lazy warrior manner. This is so typical of strong man phenomenon, they take their chance, they strike a punch at the institutions, at international law and see whether the tiger is made of paper or not. So Putin is doing the same thing, this is right from his playbook that is so true.”
“Trump is the least of the strong men, he has become too famous I know but actually the one who invented the idea of ‘strong man’ was actually Putin. He brought this to the world scene and the others only followed him including Erdoğan, Modi, Bolsanaro and all the others. So this what they do, if you are polite with them, they go on with their bullying and we have seen this in several cases, not only in last several months, but also throughout his years in power.”
Misogny as the wingman of fascism
“Misogny has always been the wingman of fascism, populism, totalitarianism, any kind of ‘strong man’ regime. If you put down the female, you prove your strength. “
“European societies, European leaders should know that this is another game now. You don’t do hesitant moves or so. If you we go back to that Ursula Von Der Leyen example, what could be done through that example, I think the response should have been, “Excuse me, get me a chair now.” And then we could have seen how strong men turn into at headlines. This is how they play and this is how it should be played from now on and they should be shown and told very openly who they are and what they are. Otherwise, it would not do the trick. “
The most cynical age of human history
“The more important thing here is we are going towards a war, and I don’t see many people saying no to war. Let’s leave aside what leaders do and how they behave, but the societies are quite reluctant to give any kind of reaction. Because I remember 2003 No To War Coalition when Iraq invasion happened. I don’t see such enthusiasm to say no to war, which is even more worrying than what leaders do at the moment.”
“We are going through the most cynical age of human history. The cynicism of the entire situation is so fitting to ‘strong man’ regime. These strong men feed on the cynicism, this lack of faith, this lack of reaction. Either coming from the leaders or societies or preferably both, we need reaction. They do what they do because they can. This is the most important rule in their playbook.