Discord

In my political theory classes, I always stress the value of dissent. Instead of seeking “harmony”, I believe that there is a distinct value in discord and that disagreement is in fact essential for learning. While John Stuart Mill said much the same already in On Liberty back in 1859, it is still an argument that I think is worth repeating, especially when considering how much the climate movement, but also the populist right, is defined by its quest for social purity and ethical homogenization.

Interestingly, several articles have recently attributed Putin’s gross miscalculation with regard to Ukraine to the fact that he has been so successful in stifling dissent and mostly surrounds himself with former KGB people who are not, how should we say, renowned for their critical thinking.