War

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
Zelinsky's party is an anti-corruption party, it is their main platform, the social cohesion that this kind of struggle produces also has a low tolerance for corruption as do veterans. The government is a coalition with a conservative party prime minister too. Many of the corrupt were also Russian connected oligarchs and they are on their back foot right now. The EU has criteria for membership that addresses systemic corruption and Ukraine is on the fast track. I never said corruption in Ukraine was not an issue in the past or even moving forward, just that it is being actively addressed, as it is in America right now. Sources on this are not hard to find.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
When I say America is pretty corrupt, I'm also including Canada and political lobbyist anybody who buy a politician's vote. Some places are better at policing it than others, but it happens at all levels of government, local state/provincial and federal.
 

Fogdog

Well-Known Member
Zelinsky's party is an anti-corruption party, it is their main platform, the social cohesion that this kind of struggle produces also has a low tolerance for corruption as do veterans. The government is a coalition with a conservative party prime minister too. Many of the corrupt were also Russian connected oligarchs and they are on their back foot right now. The EU has criteria for membership that addresses systemic corruption and Ukraine is on the fast track. I never said corruption in Ukraine was not an issue in the past or even moving forward, just that it is being actively addressed, as it is in America right now. Sources on this are not hard to find.
Zelinsky's party is an anti-corruption party, it is their main platform, the social cohesion that this kind of struggle produces also has a low tolerance for corruption as do veterans. The government is a coalition with a conservative party prime minister too. Many of the corrupt were also Russian connected oligarchs and they are on their back foot right now. The EU has criteria for membership that addresses systemic corruption and Ukraine is on the fast track. I never said corruption in Ukraine was not an issue in the past or even moving forward, just that it is being actively addressed, as it is in America right now. Sources on this are not hard to find.
I'm not aware of the situation regarding corruption in Ukraine today. If you have some facts based reports to share, I'd appreciate it. What you think does not need to be repeated.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
I'm not aware of the situation regarding corruption in Ukraine today. If you have some facts based reports to share, I'd appreciate it. What you think does not need to be repeated.
That's because the situation there has changed dramatically and the only ones touting corruption in Ukraine are Russian propagandist, everybody is reporting on the invasion and not much else. The only facts are past facts and those were Zelenskiy's opposition to systemic corruption, he had a TV show and that was its theme, with him as a high school teacher. Corruption by its nature is a secret thing and it is the police, press or opposition parties that uncover it, here and elsewhere. The more liberal a society the more opportunities for corruption, freedom has several prices, however with despotic government everything is corrupt.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
I'm not aware of the situation regarding corruption in Ukraine today. If you have some facts based reports to share, I'd appreciate it. What you think does not need to be repeated.
I'd say these guys were a neutral source

 

Fogdog

Well-Known Member
I'd say these guys were a neutral source

Read it. Thanks. Second worst in Europe and only Russia being worse. Mexico isn't exactly what I'd consider a good comp for corruption either. That was before the war. Nothing more is available regarding the state of corruption in Ukraine. Basically, you don't know anything, just hoping. You have lower standards for believing something than I do. But you aren't always wrong. I'm skeptical
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
Read it. Thanks. Second worst in Europe and only Russia being worse. Mexico isn't exactly what I'd consider a good comp for corruption either. That was before the war. Nothing more is available regarding the state of corruption in Ukraine. Basically, you don't know anything, just hoping. You have lower standards for believing something than I do. But you aren't always wrong. I'm skeptical
I'm just expressing opinions based on the news and reliable journalism, I'm not calling any shots or making decisions. Usually, I comment on a source I post, but will back up what I believe to be true with facts or at least credible supporting evidence.

I will say one thing though, Ukraine is undergoing a collective tribal experience that engenders self-sacrifice and increased socialization, among other more negative propensities. This larger social cohesion often results in less tolerance for corruption across the political spectrum and diminishes tolerance for it in one's own political party. America under serious threat would undergo the same basic transformation as differences were subsumed by the larger struggle for existence and national identity came to the forefront. The aftermath of such an ordeal has larger social effects, not all of them negative.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
Looks like another big offensive operation unfolding in the east as they go for the major rail hubs in Luhansk. Good generalship usually means fewer losses for you and them too as cut off forces are forced to surrender instead of fight. Killing their officers selectively also helps with surrender and reduces opposing points of view! The Russian troops have very low morale, poor support and are likely to panic and run or surrender. The Russians are stretched thin and overextended with no reserve forces to speak of and once the defensive lines in many places are breached, the Ukrainians can race to their rear regional supply hubs. This often has the added advantage of capturing large stocks of ammo at the rail hubs as it appears to accumulate there for want of transport and lot's abandoned equipment that panicked troops run from in terror of precision munitions.

 
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Fogdog

Well-Known Member
I'm just expressing opinions based on the news and reliable journalism, I'm not calling any shots or making decisions. Usually, I comment on a source I post, but will back up what I believe to be true with facts or at least credible supporting evidence.

I will say one thing though, Ukraine is undergoing a collective tribal experience that engenders self-sacrifice and increased socialization, among other more negative propensities. This larger social cohesion often results in less tolerance for corruption across the political spectrum and diminishes tolerance for it in one's own political party. America under serious threat would undergo the same basic transformation as differences were subsumed by the larger struggle for existence and national identity came to the forefront. The aftermath of such an ordeal has larger social effects, not all of them negative.
In bold text above. I know of no real world examples when what you said was true during a war.

In the US, our experience has shown the opposite to be true.


"The most severe crimes were perpetrated against democracy in the United States during wartime when the masses relied heavily on politicians for leadership, and attention was focused on the war rather than internal politics."

But not just the US:

Countries emerging from conflict are often characterised by endemic corruption, low state legitimacy, low state capacity, weak rule of law, wavering levels of political will and high levels of insecurity. Corruption opportunities abound in such context, through the combination of weak institutions and governance structures, low absorption capacity, donors’ pressure to disburse and massive inflows of foreign aid.

I'm not even worried about corruption in Ukraine. I'm just saying it's to be expected that an already corrupt society will get worse during war time.
 

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
In bold text above. I know of no real world examples when what you said was true during a war.

In the US, our experience has shown the opposite to be true.


"The most severe crimes were perpetrated against democracy in the United States during wartime when the masses relied heavily on politicians for leadership, and attention was focused on the war rather than internal politics."

But not just the US:

Countries emerging from conflict are often characterised by endemic corruption, low state legitimacy, low state capacity, weak rule of law, wavering levels of political will and high levels of insecurity. Corruption opportunities abound in such context, through the combination of weak institutions and governance structures, low absorption capacity, donors’ pressure to disburse and massive inflows of foreign aid.

I'm not even worried about corruption in Ukraine. I'm just saying it's to be expected that an already corrupt society will get worse during war time.
Zelensky will have a big opportunity. He can make some real reforms after the war. A lot of the old school network of russian fences and information suppliers, arms dealers, drug dealers, human traffickers... Is going to be in shambles, and could be kept that way with some effort. It would go a long way towards their UN and NATO membership, if they were demonstrably fighting corruption.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
In bold text above. I know of no real world examples when what you said was true during a war.

In the US, our experience has shown the opposite to be true.


"The most severe crimes were perpetrated against democracy in the United States during wartime when the masses relied heavily on politicians for leadership, and attention was focused on the war rather than internal politics."

But not just the US:

Countries emerging from conflict are often characterised by endemic corruption, low state legitimacy, low state capacity, weak rule of law, wavering levels of political will and high levels of insecurity. Corruption opportunities abound in such context, through the combination of weak institutions and governance structures, low absorption capacity, donors’ pressure to disburse and massive inflows of foreign aid.

I'm not even worried about corruption in Ukraine. I'm just saying it's to be expected that an already corrupt society will get worse during war time.
In the UK after the war Churchill lost the election, the people wanted a better deal, they liked Churchill, but wanted another kind of society. I don't think Zelenskiy will suffer the same fate politically and if he can lead in war, he can lead in the battle against corruption and help initiate social change. In the end that what it's all about changing attitudes and Ukrainians are looking towards Europe and liberal democracy with all that entails. Like all democratic leaders Zelenskiy is in a balancing act with the different power centers in his country, the war and his leadership, tipped the balance firmly in his favor. He is not just swimming with the tide of history, he is leading it, surfing it if you will.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
In bold text above. I know of no real world examples when what you said was true during a war.

In the US, our experience has shown the opposite to be true.


"The most severe crimes were perpetrated against democracy in the United States during wartime when the masses relied heavily on politicians for leadership, and attention was focused on the war rather than internal politics."

But not just the US:

Countries emerging from conflict are often characterised by endemic corruption, low state legitimacy, low state capacity, weak rule of law, wavering levels of political will and high levels of insecurity. Corruption opportunities abound in such context, through the combination of weak institutions and governance structures, low absorption capacity, donors’ pressure to disburse and massive inflows of foreign aid.

I'm not even worried about corruption in Ukraine. I'm just saying it's to be expected that an already corrupt society will get worse during war time.
It depends on the kind of war, I would say a war of national independence or survival would have different results, depending on the level of liberal democracy. During such transitions like with the breakup of the Soviet Union and the formation of independent states, opportunities for corruption abound in societies starting up liberal democracies basically from scratch. In a liberal democracy what ain't illegal is legal and it takes time to make laws to deal with social ailments. Leadership and government also plays a roll and a powerful unifying shared experience has lasting effects too.

Intention and character play a big part in such ethical and moral matters like corruption, there is a reason Zelenskiy is welcomed and honored in polite society by nice people, he has integrity and people know it.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
Zelensky will have a big opportunity. He can make some real reforms after the war. A lot of the old school network of russian fences and information suppliers, arms dealers, drug dealers, human traffickers... Is going to be in shambles, and could be kept that way with some effort. It would go a long way towards their UN and NATO membership, if they were demonstrably fighting corruption.
Kinda like in the current American "civil war", it exposed the assholes in society, J6 will be like a national enema for the political system! :lol:
 
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