The Spanish Civil War has often been called the “dress rehearsal for World War II”. And yet, this consequential and fascinating conflict is something many of us have never even heard of.
I enjoyed reading your article. Anthony Beevor’s book was my preferred. As a Spaniard living abroad and having the chance of seeing things from outside Spain, I would only add that the socialist government of Pedro Sanchez has been hellbent on re-opening those wounds. VOX is a consequence of that policy
Thank you for reading. Beevor's book is definitely well researched and useful. My understanding of the Sanchez Government is that the intent is 'healing in the correct way' . Is that your understanding too? Or do you think their intent is to create a wedge for political purposes?
The subject was taboo during my time living there. Similar vibes to the American Civil War, but more recent. I can imagine how divisive it must be to reopen the topic, especially the debates around the Valle de los Caídos.
I cut a section in which I described the current support of western democracies for Ukraine. I find it the closest parallel, albeit with plenty of differences.
In short, whether the West achieves rescue of the Ukrainian Government, they've shown a far better effort than for the Spanish Republic. It does seem an acknowledgment that appeasement does not work.
I enjoyed reading your article. I’m curious to learn more about why you dislike Jordan Peterson. Would you consider writing something that explores your historical perspective on why you view Jordan Peterson’s ideas as nonsense esotericism?
So, let me just put my cards on the table. I think it's intellectually honest just to state my bias and shortcomings.
First, I don't actually have a deeply researched opinion of Peterson (I tuned him out early in his popularity rise). And two, I don't like his politics, nor the politics of the people he leads people towards. Third, and this is admittedly ancillary, I think his promotion of all-meat diets is destructive to those who listen, and to the planet.
^^^ I hope you'll accept the last paragraph as transparency.
That said, my substantive criticism comes in two forms,
1) He doesn't seem to be knowledgable outside his expertise. For example, I encountered a lecture from him in which he gave a historical opinion: if Germany wanted to win World War II, they would have put the Jews to work rather than to death. -- This is an opinion of deep ignorance - forced Jewish labor was absolutely exploited in that era. When I lived in Germany, I visited a bunker built by forced labor. Peterson was wrong wrong wrong.
It is not a crime to be ignorant outside one's specialization (otherwise I'd be serving a life sentence), but strong and declarative assertions are a problem.
2) Sometimes I listen to him speak and actually think he isn't saying anything at all. This is beyond disagreement; I'm not sure he's always cogent. As in, he spits out intellectual word salad and hope no one notices. Well, I do.
Happy to be disagreed with. Though I couldn't participate in a large debate about it, as I wrote Dr. Peterson off and haven't dedicated time to exploring his entire worldview.
I enjoyed reading your article. Anthony Beevor’s book was my preferred. As a Spaniard living abroad and having the chance of seeing things from outside Spain, I would only add that the socialist government of Pedro Sanchez has been hellbent on re-opening those wounds. VOX is a consequence of that policy
Thank you for reading. Beevor's book is definitely well researched and useful. My understanding of the Sanchez Government is that the intent is 'healing in the correct way' . Is that your understanding too? Or do you think their intent is to create a wedge for political purposes?
Rather the latter I’am afraid….
The subject was taboo during my time living there. Similar vibes to the American Civil War, but more recent. I can imagine how divisive it must be to reopen the topic, especially the debates around the Valle de los Caídos.
clear parallels. question is - what could the precedent conflicts be today - Ukraine? Israel-Gaza? middle east volatility aka Syria, Libya?
another q would be how to categorize regimes with social democracy v. authoritarians and their records so far (win-loss)
I cut a section in which I described the current support of western democracies for Ukraine. I find it the closest parallel, albeit with plenty of differences.
In short, whether the West achieves rescue of the Ukrainian Government, they've shown a far better effort than for the Spanish Republic. It does seem an acknowledgment that appeasement does not work.
I enjoyed reading your article. I’m curious to learn more about why you dislike Jordan Peterson. Would you consider writing something that explores your historical perspective on why you view Jordan Peterson’s ideas as nonsense esotericism?
So, let me just put my cards on the table. I think it's intellectually honest just to state my bias and shortcomings.
First, I don't actually have a deeply researched opinion of Peterson (I tuned him out early in his popularity rise). And two, I don't like his politics, nor the politics of the people he leads people towards. Third, and this is admittedly ancillary, I think his promotion of all-meat diets is destructive to those who listen, and to the planet.
^^^ I hope you'll accept the last paragraph as transparency.
That said, my substantive criticism comes in two forms,
1) He doesn't seem to be knowledgable outside his expertise. For example, I encountered a lecture from him in which he gave a historical opinion: if Germany wanted to win World War II, they would have put the Jews to work rather than to death. -- This is an opinion of deep ignorance - forced Jewish labor was absolutely exploited in that era. When I lived in Germany, I visited a bunker built by forced labor. Peterson was wrong wrong wrong.
It is not a crime to be ignorant outside one's specialization (otherwise I'd be serving a life sentence), but strong and declarative assertions are a problem.
2) Sometimes I listen to him speak and actually think he isn't saying anything at all. This is beyond disagreement; I'm not sure he's always cogent. As in, he spits out intellectual word salad and hope no one notices. Well, I do.
Happy to be disagreed with. Though I couldn't participate in a large debate about it, as I wrote Dr. Peterson off and haven't dedicated time to exploring his entire worldview.
Will be back later and respond soon.
Thanks for engaging