Why should I care about the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
First, a bit of history: Ukraine declared its independence in the early 20th century. Despite its absorption into the USSR afterward, it was nevertheless a distinct nation, and officially resumed its independence in 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union.
Ukraine has since reasserted its sovereignty in such events as the Orange Revolution in 2004–2005, by the ousting of Viktor Yanukovych, and in the Maidan Revolution in 2014, in addition to other events. Though Ukraine has faced internal challenges from pro-Russian separatists in its eastern regions, the country has remained steadfast in preserving its sovereignty. As of January 21, 2022, Ukraine’s sovereignty has been tested again. Vladimir Putin has declared eastern regions of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, “independent,” and has sent a military force into the regions in a distinct threat to Ukrainian independence.
The process of maintaining an independent democracy in the wake of a break from an oppressive or exploitative state is an occurrence that appears in the history books of a number of nations today, and in each of these histories, liberation is accompanied by increased oppression and by violence. The United States, of course, is one instance of these.
When the US first embarked on its endeavors toward independence, Britain instituted laws called the Coercive Acts (aka, the Intolerable Acts) to suppress these efforts. These Acts were followed by the American Revolution, a long (1775–1783) and bloody (nearly 7000 deaths, or 70,000, depending on your perspective) war. The young country emerged on shaky ground, but ultimately united under the banner of popular sovereignty (excluding, of course, women, slaves, and free persons of African descent).
Countries such as the United States have asserted the value of democracy within their borders and abroad. There are many reasons to believe that the US is not, or is no longer, a true democracy, as recent years of political divisions have suggested. Yet the ideal still holds, and the US bid to stand against totalitarianism has remained at the forefront of its professed ideology.
As we are well aware, the US recently escaped an authoritarian attempt. Increasing amounts of evidence are currently being discovered and released regarding former President Donald Trump’s efforts (though bumbling) to subsume popular sovereignty to his own will. Further, his close ties to dictators such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, and, of course, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, are no secret, and reveal his sanction of their form of rulership. The approaching election in 2024 will clarify where the United States stands regarding the strength of its democracy, one based on the sentiment that governments are established by
‘‘deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.’’
— The Declaration of Independence (1776)
By disregarding the invasion of Ukraine through the implementation of minor sanctions, we in the US — a nation that so values the ideals of sovereignty — would implicitly sanction it. I am not demanding that the US take up the baton of the Global Police and attempt to assert a presumed hegemony on the global stage, assuming entitlement to militarily intervention. However, the US would give the green light to authoritarianism everywhere — even within its own borders — by taking only performative measures to halt the initial steps toward annexation of a sovereign nation and dismantling of democratic government.
What can individual Americans do while the Russian military invades and threatens another country? Simply remain informed. Follow what is happening. Let this moment motivate you to vote when possible and consider your vote carefully. Because the methods that Russia’s dictator uses to attempt to suppress democracy may find their way to your country.
