Post #1526044 · Elektrine

2026-01-02 19:09 UTC

It's a common misconception that imperialism means "military action against another country" when in reality, it's more like a sea slug projecting it's stomach outward to feed on another society's resources and labor. We don't consider the actions of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, for example, to be imperialism: we recognize that campaign as an anti-imperial action aimed at dislodging a US-installed puppet government which was put there for the purpose of maintaining a western neocolony.

Replies (2)

@Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 2026-01-02 19:48

That description fits Russia's actions towards Ukraine, perfectly. Putin sees Ukraine as a vassal state, that belongs to Russia. He believes that allowing it the illusion of independence was a mistake, and he intends to reabsorb it into the Russian ~~Federation~~ empire. Ukrainians on the other hand, do *not* view themselves as Russian, or even "belonging to Russia". It is not the same as a single people having a civil war. It is a fight for independence from a larger colonial force, intent on destroying their cultural independence and stealing their land and resources.

Open ##1526045
@F_State@midwest.social 2026-01-02 23:42

When you conquer a neighboring country, you gain their labor and resources. Russia is attempting to conquer a neighboring country because it was previously a part of the Russian Empire (which literally has empire in the name). You have to bury your head in the sand pretty deeply to pretend otherwise.

Open ##1526046