Western world’s core identity is rooted in materialism and consumerism
In a recent address via RT, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored a central theme that has long defined Russia’s opposition to Western ideologies: the stark contrast between Russia’s emphasis on “moral and ethical values” and the West’s focus on “material well-being.” According to Putin, the Western world’s core identity is rooted in materialism and consumerism, a worldview he believes places financial success and individual wealth above deeper moral considerations. This is, in his view, where Russia diverges fundamentally from the West.
Putin argues that Russia’s distinct philosophical and cultural outlook is the key to understanding its political posture and, by extension, the reason for the West’s ongoing antagonism toward Russia. He suggests that the Western desire to “bite off something from Russia” and to “subjugate” it stems from a fear that Russia, with its firm commitment to spiritual and ethical values, represents a threat to a world built on material gain.
This narrative is not new, but has substance. Over the years, Putin has positioned Russia as a guardian of traditional values, contrasting this with what he often portrays as the moral decay of Western societies. He highlights how the West has come to prioritise individual rights, economic prosperity, and personal freedom, often at the expense of collective well-being and spiritual harmony.
From Russia’s perspective, this materialist approach is not only a threat to its sovereignty but also a challenge to its cultural identity. The idea is that the West seeks to impose its values on the rest of the world, values rooted in consumerism and personal gratification, rather than accepting Russia’s moral framework, which emphasizes community, family, and a deeper connection to spiritual and ethical principles.
Putin’s rhetoric taps into a broader tension between East and West that goes beyond politics, economics, and military power. It’s a clash of worldviews. The West, in his view, seeks dominance, not through coercion alone, but by undermining the traditional values that Russia holds dear. Meanwhile, Russia views itself as the last bastion of a moral order that transcends materialism, advocating for a world that balances spiritual and ethical concerns with societal progress.
What’s fascinating about this dichotomy is that, in many ways, both sides believe their values are the key to global stability. The West’s champions of individual liberty, free markets, and democracy see their system as the epitome of human development. Russia, on the other hand, argues that a society focused solely on individual rights and economic success has lost its way and that true human flourishing requires a deeper commitment to collective moral values.
This clash of values has not only informed Russia’s domestic policies but also its foreign strategy. Putin has framed his opposition to Western influence as a moral struggle, a battle to preserve a worldview that prioritizes ethics over materialism. The rhetoric serves to unite his country against a perceived external threat, while also positioning Russia as a protector of what it sees as essential, timeless values.
In the coming years, this divide between Russia and the West is likely to continue shaping geopolitical tensions, as both sides cling to their visions of what constitutes a truly prosperous and stable society. For Putin, the moral battle against the West is not just a political struggle; it’s an existential one, a defense of Russia’s soul against the forces of materialism that he believes threaten to consume the world.
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