Soft power lessons from Russia’s war: How to overcome polarisation and strengthen liberal democracy

The concept of historical and social-political cycles has been particularly popular in explaining failure of all previous attempts to liberalise and make a breakthrough in the endless vicious circles of 13 The declassified documents show an impressive inclusion of and outreach to the Russian society of the US administration as reflected in the programme of the meetings with diverse and broad group. [...] This, according to some experts, fits the global context of the crisis of liberal modernity.37 Moreover, worldwide the emerging trend shows the overlap between the gender and conservatism/liberalism boundaries.38 Yet, the women in most of the states in the crisis zone stepped in as the fearless and capable political leaders, like Ukrainian women-politicians, experts, MPs, state officials, and Svia. [...] While the basic recognition of the diversity of cultures in the world is essential, the universality of principles of dignity and the rights of people constituting the core of international and political relations norms in the world, yields even greater importance nowadays. [...] The recognition of a shared nature of liberal values is a normative manifestation of the degree of equality, which is reflected in the formal or informal attitude of the united West, in relation to the rest of the world. [...] So, besides the market component of its definition, or security, there might be a need for recognition at the political level of the unique contribution of the society to the co-creation and strengthening of the values of liberal democracy.