Ukraine through the lens of Michel Foucault

It is crucial to recognize Russia as a criminal in every manner

The war in Ukraine is a complex geopolitical conflict on which multiple actors and interests are involved. At times when everyone seems to be walking in the dark, it's good to rely on the classics, for example, analyzing it through the lens of Michel Foucault's ideas on power and knowledge.

According to Foucault, power is not just a top-down hierarchical structure, but a pervasive and diffuse force that permeates all social relations. Power operates through knowledge, shaping what we consider as true and false, normal and abnormal, moral and immoral. In this sense, power is not only about domination, but also about production and reproduction of subjectivities.

In the context of this war, we can see how different actors use power to shape the narrative and the perception of the conflict. For example, Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine is misrepresented by a discourse of protecting ethnic Russians and fighting against fascism. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government portrays itself as defending the territorial integrity of the state against foreign aggression.

Which is, by the way, the responsibility of every State with their citizens. In the clash of narratives, Ukraine's discourse is absolutely coherent while the enemy's one is confused, disordered and criminal, based on fabricated rhetoric and ignoring any civilizational logic.

Foucault argued that knowledge is a construct shaped by power and social norms. The dictator knows well that we build our identities and beliefs through discourse, and they are influenced by the structures of power in which we live. Russian usurpation of Crimea in 2014, for example, was preceded by a concerted effort to shape the internal public opinion through the use of propaganda and disinformation.

The French philosopher also reminds us that power is not just about what is said, but also about what is not said, what is silenced, and what is excluded from the discourse. In the case of the war on Ukraine, we can see how certain voices are marginalized or silenced, such as the voices of civilians caught in the crossfire, the voices of many independent journalists and activists, or the voices of those who advocate for a bigger engagement from the Western countries in Ukraine.

Besides, his concept of biopolitics is relevant to the war on Ukraine, as it refers to the ways in which power operates through the management of bodies and populations. We can see how the war has led to displacement, loss of life, and the fragmentation of communities, bringing a catastrophic effect in all spheres of population's life.

In conclusion, Foucault's ideas offer a critical perspective on the war on Ukraine, reminding us that power operates through knowledge by shaping what we consider as true and false. The unfortunate truth of war, the truthfulness of the Ukrainian's suffering, must always be in the focal point of the international community to avoid a falsehood like the Russian discourse to gain momentum somehow.

The Ukrainian government, despite not being a perfect entity, is correctly defending itself against foreign aggression. It is crucial to recognize this as a criminal conduct in every manner, in honor of all those who are directly suffering the consequences of the conflict.

Please, wherever you are, never abandon your support for Ukraine's right to self-determination.