DISINFO: Nihilistic culture of liberal states and transnational élites destroys gender identities, families
SUMMARY
The nihilistic culture of liberal states and transnational élites destroys gender identities, families, the people and individuals.
RESPONSE
Widespread pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at depicting liberalism and Western values as destructive of traditional social and spiritual values, and of national, cultural and gender identities. According to this narrative liberalism is responsible for cultural and moral decay, the breakdown of the family and community, as well as widespread deviance and perversion.
The video’s message is also consistent with the conspiracy theory about secret globalist elites ruling in the shadows and seeking to impose their decadent and nihilistic culture around the world.
These narratives, which seek to discredit and demonise Western liberal democracies, are often spread by pro-Kremlin outlets, as detailed this EU vs Disinfo piece.
There is no evidence to support the video’s sweeping claims about the destruction of “gender identities, the family, people and individuals” in liberal states. Moreover, liberal democracies are not based on “nihilism”, which is a belief that all values are baseless and is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence.
The video’s depiction of liberalism as “nihilistic” and destructive of higher values and collective identities is false. Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the values of liberty, consent of the governed, individual rights (including civil rights and human rights), and equality before the law.
The fundamental values of liberal-democratic societies include the rule of law, human rights, freedom of conscience and expression, rationalism, self-criticism, the disinterested search for truth, and the separation of church and state.
One of the major achievements of the liberal-democratic societies, and of Europe in particular, is the institutionalization of tolerance and pluralism, which means the recognition and affirmation of diversity and diverse identities within a political body, allowing the peaceful coexistence of different world-views, religions, life-styles, and interests.
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