Dictatorship and War - Dao, Tang Duc - Attorney at Law

07/03/22: In contemporary history, there is almost an undeniable correlation between dictators or dictatorships and humanity's bloodiest wars. Paradoxically, there is also a correlation between democracy and enduring peaceful eras of mankind. On 24 February, 2022, after weeks of mobilizing nearly 200,000 troops in Ukraine's border regions, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, defied the fundamental principles of the United Nations charter, officially sent troops to invade the territory of the Republic of Ukraine, an independent, sovereign state and member of the United Nations. Putin's goals are predicted by international observers as follows: 1. The creation of puppet republics in the autonomous regions of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk (which are on the territory of Ukraine) and incorporate them in the Russian Federation. Such process had been started since the war with Ukraine in 2014. 2. Overthrowing the pro-Western government in Ukraine of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and establishing a pro-Russian puppet government to lead the Ukrainian people 3. Preventing Ukraine from participating in the European Union and NATO at all costs. International observers agree that, because the military power imbalance is heavily tipped in favor of the Russian Federation, in the first stage of the conflict, the Ukrainian army will struggle. However, Ukraine is not a small country with a population of about 45 million and a territory twice that of Vietnam. Although the United States and NATO would not send troops to Ukraine, it indirectly assists in the form of advanced weaponry and the Ukrainian army has been upgraded to a higher level compared to the 2014 war. There are many signs that the Ukrainian army has fought bravely and caused a lot of material and human damage to the Russian army. In addition, the economic sanctions of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and the European Union are extremely severe and will crush the economy of the Russian Federation. The obvious proof is that in 2013, before the 2014 invasion of Ukraine, Russia's GDP per capita was $16,000. However, after attacking Ukraine in 2014, because of sanctions imposed by democratic countries, in 2021, Russia's GDP per capita decreased to 11,000 USD. For comparison, we note that in 2013 China's GDP per capita was only $7,000 USD. But in 2021 China GDP surpassed Russia at 12,551 USD. Although for now Putin and Xi Jinping are allies, on a strategic level, China remains the most dangerous enemy of the Russian Federation. Historically China has always coveted Russian Siberia and Far East Russia, which they consider historic possessions of China. China is also competing for influence with Russia in the Central Asian countries of the former Soviet bloc. Today, with a huge population of 144 million and vast swaths of territory stretching from Europe to Asia, the gross national product of the Russian Federation is far behind countries with much smaller populations such as Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy, let alone the entire European Union. Russia's gross national product falls behind that of many states in the United States and many provinces in China. Except for Putin's close associates, most Russians live in extreme poverty. The new sanctions in 2022 are more severe and deeper than those in 2014 and the Russian economy will be in free fall. We cannot rule out the possibility that the Russian people will revolt because of hunger. Social and political instabilities will ensue. The question to be raised is: Why are dictators, from Napoleon, to Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mao Zedong and Putin so inclined to start wars despite dire consequences for the world, for their own countries and at times for themselves personally? The reasons are many, but can be summed up as follows: 1. With the irreversible march of democracy based on constitutionalism, the rule of law and pluralism, contemporary humanity no longer accepts authoritarianism as a form of government. That is why dictators always feel insecure because of the seeds of opposition in their own countries. One of the classic methods is to dream up an enemy, and wage a war at home or abroad, and to suppress all opposition under the guise of solidarity and patriotism. 2. Absolute power brings not only absolute corruption, but also absolute madness. In this period of history, Putin could not re-create an empire and ascend to the throne of Tsarist Russia. However, he could and did change the Constitution to be President for life. He also aspires enter history books as the great leader who redraws the vast borders of the Russian Empire like the emperors Peter the Great or empress Catherine the Great. For this dream of greatness Putin is ready to take the gamble. Another important question to ask of us is: In such dire circumstances, what is our responsibility as a member of civilized humanity? The answer is: While there is a correlation between dictatorship and war, there is also an equal correlation between democracy and peace. Thus, as responsible members of humanity, it is imperative of us to contribute to the building of genuine democracy for our respective countries, in order to make a practical contribution to peace and prosperity for mankind. Wherever the light of democracy reaches, there will be peace. On the contrary, wherever the darkness of dictatorship goes, oppression and war will follow. Not only citizens in authoritarian countries such as Vietnam, China, North Korea, Burma, Thailand, Iran, Russia... have this noble responsibility, but even citizens in democratic countries must assume such responsibility to help the people of less fortunate countries. As responsible Vietnamese citizens, let us resolutely begin with the overthrowing of the communist dictatorship in Vietnam.