Micheline Beauchemin

How the past doesn’t need to predict the present and future

Revisado: 07-01-23

Educational and eye opening. I was particularly interested in the sections discussing how the unraveling of the Soviet Union encouraged Poland to take the leadership in recognizing existing frontiers and propelled the development of democracy and pluralism in the rest of Eastern Europe, bar Russia. Enlightening and encouraging about the future of the nations involved.

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His viewpoint is essential

Revisado: 03-17-22

Sharansky argues with forceful arguments that non democratic regimes, far from bringing stability, engender wars and danger to their neighbours since they have a total disregard towards the opinions and the welfare of their own citizens. During these harrowing times, we can see first hand that he is absolutely right. There is no win when accommodating dictators and autocrats, only further chaos disguised under a thin veil of stability. Democratic countries and rulers must resist Such behaviours with all their might. He is absolutely right in assessing the political situation in the Middle East: there will be no peace until there is democracy, and that the rulers want peace and welfare for their own citizens. Very satisfying book and a must read.

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How democracy could die in the US

Revisado: 08-07-21

The authors devised a rule book depicting how a democracy could turn into autocracy. They illustrate their points by examining several examples In the past and the present. But their real objective was to show that America is not fully protected against this eventuality, that even the Constitution could be easily sidelined. Mainly “forbearance” for political adversaries is the net protecting democracies, the belief that adversaries are not enemies or traitors, but representatives of a different point of view even if strongly disapproved. Unfortunately President Trump showed no such compunction, but his attacks on democracy were started long before he came to power with the Tea Party. the authors clearly demonstrated that the Republicans are fighting for survival by all means necessary, because having linked their fate to religious whites, demography is clearly working against them. By finding ways to deny votes to their opponents then discredit elections, they aim for one party rule. The authors hope for the Republican Party to get a grip and attract other constituents, taking examples on conservative parties in countries such as Spain, Chile and Germany. Maybe the Republicans will step away from the brink. Caveat: I used to lean Republican.

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Was this book sponsored by RT?

Revisado: 08-03-21

I first read the book, thinking it would be a sober review of deficiencies of the American military, of which there are many. Instead I heard a lopsided version of history such as propagated by Russia Today (RT), the foreign mouthpiece of the Kremlin. From the glorious days of the Napoleonic war, to the victorious 2nd world war, we are led to believe that because Russia has been invaded contrarily to the US safe within its borders, its military capabilities are by far superior to the US. On that basis, France should be the greatest force. No mention of economic superiority. In the eyes of the author, Soviet rule was so beneficial it is a wonder so many countries preferred liberation as soon as they could safely do so. Gulags we’re just normal penal colonies. Anyone expressing doubts must be russophobe. I lived in a small town in Russia and worked happily among Russians who I admire. I am not russophobe by far. But to call every speech of Putin ground breaking, faulting Stalin’s pact with Nazi Germany solely on the Allies, the invasions of Georgia and the Donbass in Ukraine as US inspired, is a bit rich. In the terms of the author Crimea was simply returned to Russia. Let’s not mention Serbia and Syria.
The chapter about the superior educational system of Russia versus US could be illuminating if the arguments weren’t drowned in hysteria instead of rational discussion.
This is not a book with in depth analyses, it is propaganda from beginning to end.

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Not a trumpian

Revisado: 07-28-21

I love Anne Applebaum’s books. Definitely not a left wing, she made that clear in her book about Ukraine and the communist party’s created famine. She is as I a center conservative, appalled by the sudden surge towards autocracy by many conservative parties in power, starting with Poland and Hungary, with analyses of brexit Britain and trumpian US, all wrapped in Christianity as a cover, when the real objective is one party rule as in China and Russia. Illuminating.

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How eating only starch can be a sensible solution?

Revisado: 07-03-21

Pasta without oil, boiled or baked potatoes no garnish…this can’t be a long term diet and even if we are told that gorillas and cows can survive on this diet, I’m not sure it is not only so boring that it is only a matter of time before people fall off the wagon. Declining pages of scientific reviews make for excruciating reading in an audible book.

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Insightful, concise, so true even today

Revisado: 05-26-21

Arendt is the definitive author on totalitarianism without equals. Her insights are still as valid today as when she wrote the book, mainly about Stalinism and nazism, but also imperialism, racism and apartheid.
Clear and almost clinical descriptions of the ways leading to totalitarianism and the distinction with dictatorship are logical and inclusive. And she was right, no one is immune.

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