The controversial Canadian psychologist, Jordan
Petersen came out swinging at both Putin and
Western liberals over the war in Ukraine.
Although he is somewhat critical of Putin and very empathetic to victims in Ukraine, he blames the collective West for a lack of moral leadership. Essentially, Jordan Petersen argues that in terms of conservative values, Russia is more unified than America and Europe. He goes on to argue that in his view, “Russia are essentially part of the West” and that we face a risk of civil war in the collective West. This echo’s the view of Ray Dalio, that the West may indeed risk a civil war as neither party might be willing to accept an election loss in the near future.
In his views, the Russians are prepared to risk it all rather than to fall in line under morally corrupt leadership and twisted liberal values. Peterson then suggests that NATO expansion is to blame rather than Putin and that the West does not have the right to do any moral posturing against Russia. He also explain the danger, in his view, that Russia would rather see Ukraine destroyed and raised to the ground, as opposed to being a neighbor falling under the Western sphere of influence.
At some point in his monologue, Peterson went on to lament the Biden administration for appointing a black judge, arguing that Trump appointed judges had to endure much more grilling before approval than the case of a person of color. Peterson argues that competence is not the basis for appointing justices, but that race and sex has taken priority over competence.
The discussion then takes a twist, when Peterson blames the pandemic. He says: “When is the last time a Western leader took the time to sit down with Putin, not by Zoom, not by Skype, in the same room…”? He then hinted that the lack of human communication skills that could have overcome inevitable mistrust, may be partly to blame for a breakdown in communication and growing distrust.
Overall it would seem that Peterson subscribes to the thought leadership of John Mearsheimer, deeply critical of the approaches Joe Biden followed in Ukraine.
For a healthy counterbalance to the assertions of Jordan Peterson, it may be healthy to reflect on the Munk Debate:
The Munk Debate – The Russia Ukraine War, Toronto, 12.05.2022 Stephen Walt, John Mearsheimer v Michael McFaul, Radosław Sikorski By any measure, the Russian invasion of Ukraine represents a profound security risk for the world. It raises fundamental issues about the basic principles that underwrite the current international order and it threatens the specter of an entrenched, high-risk Great Power conflict.
How is this fast-evolving crisis best addressed? Does it demand a resolute and relentless push by the West to punish, isolate and degrade Putin’s Russia economically, politically and militarily? Or is a solution to be found in acknowledging Russia’s security needs and finding ways to mutually de-escalate the war, sooner not later? Which of these different strategies stand the best chance of success? And how ultimately is this conflict best resolved?