You just rephrased the exact same actions in a different way. The reality is that Russia invaded Ukraine, annexed land and is trying to create a buffer state. Russia’s actions fit the definitions beat by beat, you just feel like using nicer sounding language about the exact same actions changes things when it just doesn’t.
In 2014, the west backed a far-right coup, placing Banderites in charge of Kiev. They started suppressing ethnic Russians in the Donbass region, resulting in Donetsk and Luhansk seceding and forming their own breakaway states. These states were at war for a decade, which Russia tried to patch up with the Minsk agreements, which Kiev broke both times. Finally, the DPR and LPR requested Russian intervention, and Russia accepted in 2022. Afterwards, a referendum was held, and both the DPR and LPR voted to join the Russian Federation, rather than continue to be ethnically cleansed by the Nazis in Kiev.
The definition you give doesn’t apply to Russia’s actions here. The part about expansionism in your definition is in service of maintaining empire, an economic status. Russia is not an Empire, nor is it becoming one, because it is not creating colonies nor plundering from them. Annexing territory is not imperialism, what would be imperialism is the US Empire forcibly annexing Hawaii to serve as a millitary base and to harvest for minerals after couping Liliʻuokalani against the wishes of the people.
Imperialism is an economic relationship that is maintained by the measures you listed. Imperialism is where one country exports capital and leverages this to extract vast sums of wealth from imperialized countries. Imperialism is maintained by hegemony and expansionism. Russia annexing groups that voted to join Russia without setting up any colonies doesn’t at all meet the definitions of imperialism. Posting your same definition that’s already flawed and vibes-based and yet you still misunderstand will not prove any point to anyone here.
The definition you give doesn’t apply to Russia’s actions here. The part about expansionism in your definition is in service of maintaining empire, an economic status.
Empire-building links back to imperialism. I’m sorry but you can’t just add in new requirements until you are satisfied with the results. It doesn’t work like that.
I should’ve also included this part earlier with all the talk about colonies
Russia is clearing Kiev’s forces out of the DPR and LPR. You have not explained how this is in service of empire-building or colonialism, which are economic relations.
I’m not adding requirements, I’m going off of your own requirements.
You call their invasion and annexation “clearing out Kiev’s forces”. You don’t see how changing the language doesn’t make what’s actually happening any different?
And no, the definition didn’t include your additions. You are taking the definition, adding more requirements and still claiming it is the same requirement. Not how it works.
Do you support the rights of Donetsk and Luhansk to escape ethnic cleansing, and establish their own territory?
Secondly, no, I’m not adding. What do you think an empire is? What is colonization? You’re reducing all of these to mere political preference instead of economic relationships, cherry-picking vague summaries and sticking your head in the sand when it comes to parts of those summaries that explain the economic factor that you are keen on erasing.
It absolutely has bearing. If you recognize the right of self-determination for the people in Donetsk and Luhansk, then you recognize their right to join Russia. Consensual joining of territory is absolutely not imperialism, and Kiev trying to prevent the ethnic Russians it has been slaughtering from leaving its grasp is closer to what Israel is doing to Palestinians.
Secondly, no, I’m not adding. What do you think an empire is? What is colonization? You’re reducing all of these to mere political preference instead of economic relationships, cherry-picking vague summaries and sticking your head in the sand when it comes to parts of those summaries that explain the economic factor that you are keen on erasing.
If I’m in support of their invasion, annexation, expansion and creation of buffer state it doesn’t change anything about the actual actions. And it’s the actions and not the language that makes one an empire.
Secondly, no, I’m not adding.
parts of those summaries that explain the economic factor
I’d be happy to see you point out those parts in the actual articles. As a matter of fact, the imperialism article even has this addition about colonialism
You just rephrased the exact same actions in a different way. The reality is that Russia invaded Ukraine, annexed land and is trying to create a buffer state. Russia’s actions fit the definitions beat by beat, you just feel like using nicer sounding language about the exact same actions changes things when it just doesn’t.
Here’s the definition for a refresher
Wrong.
In 2014, the west backed a far-right coup, placing Banderites in charge of Kiev. They started suppressing ethnic Russians in the Donbass region, resulting in Donetsk and Luhansk seceding and forming their own breakaway states. These states were at war for a decade, which Russia tried to patch up with the Minsk agreements, which Kiev broke both times. Finally, the DPR and LPR requested Russian intervention, and Russia accepted in 2022. Afterwards, a referendum was held, and both the DPR and LPR voted to join the Russian Federation, rather than continue to be ethnically cleansed by the Nazis in Kiev.
The definition you give doesn’t apply to Russia’s actions here. The part about expansionism in your definition is in service of maintaining empire, an economic status. Russia is not an Empire, nor is it becoming one, because it is not creating colonies nor plundering from them. Annexing territory is not imperialism, what would be imperialism is the US Empire forcibly annexing Hawaii to serve as a millitary base and to harvest for minerals after couping Liliʻuokalani against the wishes of the people.
Imperialism is an economic relationship that is maintained by the measures you listed. Imperialism is where one country exports capital and leverages this to extract vast sums of wealth from imperialized countries. Imperialism is maintained by hegemony and expansionism. Russia annexing groups that voted to join Russia without setting up any colonies doesn’t at all meet the definitions of imperialism. Posting your same definition that’s already flawed and vibes-based and yet you still misunderstand will not prove any point to anyone here.
Empire-building links back to imperialism. I’m sorry but you can’t just add in new requirements until you are satisfied with the results. It doesn’t work like that.
I should’ve also included this part earlier with all the talk about colonies
Russia is clearing Kiev’s forces out of the DPR and LPR. You have not explained how this is in service of empire-building or colonialism, which are economic relations.
I’m not adding requirements, I’m going off of your own requirements.
You call their invasion and annexation “clearing out Kiev’s forces”. You don’t see how changing the language doesn’t make what’s actually happening any different?
And no, the definition didn’t include your additions. You are taking the definition, adding more requirements and still claiming it is the same requirement. Not how it works.
Do you support the rights of Donetsk and Luhansk to escape ethnic cleansing, and establish their own territory?
Secondly, no, I’m not adding. What do you think an empire is? What is colonization? You’re reducing all of these to mere political preference instead of economic relationships, cherry-picking vague summaries and sticking your head in the sand when it comes to parts of those summaries that explain the economic factor that you are keen on erasing.
My support doesn’t have any bearing on the definition of the word or what is actually happening. I’m flattered you think it does though.
It absolutely has bearing. If you recognize the right of self-determination for the people in Donetsk and Luhansk, then you recognize their right to join Russia. Consensual joining of territory is absolutely not imperialism, and Kiev trying to prevent the ethnic Russians it has been slaughtering from leaving its grasp is closer to what Israel is doing to Palestinians.
Secondly, no, I’m not adding. What do you think an empire is? What is colonization? You’re reducing all of these to mere political preference instead of economic relationships, cherry-picking vague summaries and sticking your head in the sand when it comes to parts of those summaries that explain the economic factor that you are keen on erasing.
If I’m in support of their invasion, annexation, expansion and creation of buffer state it doesn’t change anything about the actual actions. And it’s the actions and not the language that makes one an empire.
I’d be happy to see you point out those parts in the actual articles. As a matter of fact, the imperialism article even has this addition about colonialism