The image from Korney Chukovsky’s fairy tale “The Cockroach” most accurately matches the leadership psychotype within the phenomenon that has become the political plague of the XXI century. Populism.
The folk tale of the Goat Dereza, though similar in plot, is softer: audacious and cunning, but not as repulsive. However, the end is the same: either the sparrow defeats the cockroach, or the crayfish the goat, – and order is restored.
But before that, populists cause much harm. Their trump card is manipulation and deceit, exploiting the desire for quick results, which seem achievable, disregarding effort and work, and devaluing opponents. This panders to stereotypes of those who dislike thinking (or don’t consider it necessary for themselves).
Coming to power due to incompetence and thievery, they accumulate such a pile of problems that staying in office becomes a matter of personal safety and freedom for them.
Through continued media manipulation (the first victim of populism is freedom of speech), pressure on opponents, and intimidation, they try to remain in power as long as possible.
Practically everywhere, getting rid of a populist is a complex task. It requires cohesion, breaking through information blockades, outreach efforts, and a clear alternative.
This is what those who see the catastrophe caused by populists but wish not to deepen it with thoughtless actions (such as unprepared emotional “uprising”) should work on – but instead aim to save the country and return it to a healthy development path.
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The Ukrainian language is extremely rich.
Often words have strikingly precise meanings on several levels at once. For example, the word “pathetic”. Trivial, insignificant, “worthy of pity”.
This is precisely what comes to mind as a characterization of the figures in the new investigation by Yaroslav Zheleznyak regarding the propagandists of Volodymyr Zelensky’s campaign. They are devoted adherents of the Russian bleak methodology, filled with degradation, devaluation, and indisputable lies. In reality, they are insignificant nonentities.
It creates rage how through such nonentities, an entire faction of “Servants of the People” is kept in line, while among the citizens there spreads a myth beneficial to the authorities: “they are all the same, look at what is written about the opponents of the authorities”.
The weapon against lies is to expose the liars and demonstrate their insignificance and worthlessness. This requires the ability not to be afraid.
The strong folklore plot about the Goat Dereza comes to mind – an audacious creature that holds the strong in fear until someone who is not afraid comes along, and the fear dissipates.
For those who still remember Soviet cultural encoding, the fairy tale “The Cockroach” by Korney Chukovsky might be more fitting. With that “… and the little bug was obeyed”.
There’s much for the “servants” to ponder before another plenary week of incompetence.
