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It is, they say, not Russia that plans aggression but, on the contrary, the decaying capitalist democracies. Russia wants merely to defend its own independence. This is an old and well-tried method of justifying aggression. Louis XIV and Napoleon I, Wilhelm II and Hitler were the most peace-loving of all men. When they invaded foreign countries, they did so only in just self-defence. Russia was as much menaced by Estonia or Latvia as Germany was by Luxemburg or Denmark.

Ludwig von Mises#20

HistoryAggressionDefenseGeopoliticsPropagandaSelf defense

About this quote

What does it mean?
Mises critiques Russia's justification of aggression as self-defense, comparing it to historical invasions by leaders like Napoleon and Hitler who claimed similar motives.
In plain terms
Claiming self-defense to justify invasion is a common trick used by aggressive leaders throughout history.
What can you take from it?
Be skeptical of self-defence claims from powers expanding their control.

Where it applies

  • geopolitical analysis
  • critiquing state narratives
  • historical research

Putting it to work

  • analyze state justifications
  • compare historical invasions

Questions to consider

  • How often do states use self-defense rhetoric?
  • What distinguishes defense from aggression?

Another view

Mises simplifies complex geopolitical motives into a binary of aggression vs defense.

More from Ludwig von Mises

  1. Whenever they must choose between Russia and their own country, they do not hesitate to prefer Russia. Their principle is: Right or wrong, my Russia. They stri…

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  2. It is a fact that Mussolini entered the scene of world politics as an ally of the democracies, while Lenin entered it as a virtual ally of imperial Germany.

    Permalink to quote #21
  3. From a correct Marxian point of view [...], all measures designed to restrain, to regulate and to improve capitalism were simply 'petty-bourgeois' nonsense [..…

    Permalink to quote #18

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