Ideology and Cold Wars

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Nowadays, I think people forget that during the height of the Cold War, Communism was a very popular philosophy. Especially in Latin America, Africa, and Western Europe. A high percentage of people in major West European countries esp. France and Italy belonged to the Communist Party. About 20% of French (especially in the Red Belt surrounding Paris) and perhaps 1 of every 2 adult Italians proudly called themselves Communists. Communism (in some form) may in fact have been the political philosophy of choice in the 3rd world, although I couldn't give any numbers. Even in the Warsaw Pact countries, there were some true believers (see the film Goodbye Lenin for an example).

Although the Soviet Union was widely criticized for abuses of government power, it was still generally respected as a sponsor of national liberation for the downtrodden of the Earth and so was considered a friend by many, especially in contrast to the US. Although many self-proclaimed Communists would tell you they supported a more "pure" form of Communism than was practiced in the Soviet Union, you would seldom hear any criticism whatsoever of Fidel Castro and his revolution, particularly not in Latin America (in fact even Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a former PM of Canada, openly admired Fidel). Fidel Castro's government depended to an extreme extent on material support from the Soviet Union so it would be hard to make any ideological distinction.

The point of my saying this is to contrast with today's Russia. I just heard a panel discussion (on Fareed Zakaria's program which is broadcast worldwide) in which there seemed to be general agreement that a new Cold War has arisen between Russia and the US (with some of its NATO and EU allies).

However, I think there is a huge difference from the historical Cold War in the lack of an ideological component. Nobody outside Russia's immediate sphere of influence cares one way or the other if Russia succeeds or fails, and modern-day Russia is not associated in anybody's mind with a revolutionary philosophy having the potential to better their lot.

For that reason, I can't see this new Cold War as being as ominous as the "old" one. Dangerous and worthy of attention, but not nearly the same.

I liked Goodbye Lenin, I remember the mother ended a letter with something hilarious like "Mit Socialistischen Gruessen" or something like that.
I also don't see a real political divide between commies and cappies anymore, but maybe there is one between democracy and authoritarian states?

double post

Pretty much agree with the OP. Russia and the USA have returned to confrontational postures similiar to that the old Cold War, but without the ideological component. Russia and America are adversaries again,but this time because they are Russia and America (two rival large countries),and not because Russia represents any exportable idea anymore (whether even the US does anymore is debateable). The creed that is on the offensive in the world today is Islamism which is not represented by Russia (in fact it threatens the Russian republic in Chechnya), and not Communism.

The equivalents of the Vietnams of the Cold War in today's US foreign policy are the quagmires we keep falling into in the middle east resisting Islamism.

But the head honcho of the Russian republic is sure nostalgic for the good ole days. And is trying restore as much of the old Soviet Union as possible by trying seize back atleast part of the Ukraine.