It’s not news that the political landscape in the country has seen tectonic shifts in the last few years. The working class has gravitated to the GOP, hypnotized by the Trump phenomenon; it's become more populist, isolationist, and the rural vote has become more homogeneous. Democrats frequently find themselves on the defensive with phony symbolic culture wars and fear-mongering.
But the Russian invasion of Ukraine has the potential to upend those trends. In addition to the many other vulnerabilities the Republicans have swallowed (conspiracy theories, etc), they’ve also now left themselves exposed on the “patriotism” front.
Americans are inspired by the people of Ukraine and many are now reminded of what America has traditionally represented. The Europeans now look to America for leadership - defending a bedrock principle we share with its moral and historical weight.
The Ukranians have inspired and reminded us of our distinction. We can see in them what they see in us. And we too often take it for granted. With all our flaws and horrific history, America is still seen as an aspiration to much of the world. Not because of our military, our economy, or our culture, but because of how those things came about; our open, self-ruled form of government.
This is not an easy thing to reconcile. As someone who came of age during Vietnam and raised in Democratic folds, I’ve always been suspicious of the military and bristle at the contrived, phony patriotic displays. It’s been assumed that Republicans “owned” that space and it’s often been used as a cudgel against Democrats and, more importantly, an obstacle to a more fair and equitable policy agenda.
Staying true to that agenda, I've always shared my tribe's knee jerk of scorn for jingoistic, military nationalism. But changes in world events have caused a change in perspective. We are a model for the world - in many ways - but mainly for our leadership of western democratic liberalism. It’s a wonderful and fragile thing. When the framers were arguing over the shape of a new government in 1787, amid their disagreements, they all marveled at the exceptional project they were forging. Nothing like this had ever been done in the history of mankind. They nurtured a grand experiment in self-rule in the late eighteenth century, inspired by the Enlightment and made possible because they were working from a blank slate, with no weighty precedents. With all the sins and dark chapters of its history, ours is in a constant state of actualization and struggle. More a real and evolving revolution than other nations have attempted or claimed.
For the vast majority of Americans, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated an outpouring of sympathy and a reminder of who and what we are. It's also generated a bizarre, self-defeating reaction among a segment of the right. As they make excuses for dictators who prey on others many of the ‘trumpy’ isolationists have ultimately marginalized themselves. Their mob has belittled military heroes, turned on the police, defended violent extremists, denied science, and now, apparently, want to deny their heritage of democratic self-government. So much for 'defending the Constitution.'
Clearly, many average Americans are offended by Putin’s actions. It strikes at the bones of who we are - and not just militarily, economically or culturally. My political instincts suggest there is an opening for Democrats to retake the mantle of patriotism; to capture the flag as a symbol of democratic values instead of American militarism. The professional tacticians can figure out the strategies and messaging to achieve it - but in this moment, Democrats have it for the taking.
These events are likely transformation - both geopolitically and psychologically. We can, and should, take this as a teachable moment of national self-reflection. We are no better or worse than people in other countries. No more virtuous; no more benevolent or friendly - or different in hopes and aspirations. But we do have an inheritance that we have a responsibility to protect - and with it, the fate of individual liberty and self-government.
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