Introduction
This assignment asked me to research and explore the cognitive distortions in my mind. In reality, each of us carries one distortion or another that impacts our lives. This influence can be positive or negative, affecting our behavior, decisions, and lifestyle. After thoroughly researching UMF (2024), I chose the most controversial and relevant topic: America’s global influence. I found this topic interesting in light of the current events surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Gaza conflicts, democracy, and the upcoming US presidential election.
Most recently, I came across an article in the LA Times that discussed a speech by Russian President Putin on US hegemony and the forcible imposition of American standards worldwide (Isachenkov, 2022). Since, for the most part, I do not agree with these statements by the Russian leader, I chose this particular article to further explore the nature of my possible cognitive distortions.
Personal Cognitive Distortions and Current Global Events
The issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing protracted war is a pressing threat to the entire world that has not only persisted for two years but also poses risks to the global economy and human security, given Russia’s stockpile of nuclear weapons. Before reading this LA Times news article, I knew some details about this war. I thought — and continue to think — that the invasion was an act of aggression by the Russian leader, which was due to a lack of quality information about Ukrainian society, a lack of understanding of the sentiments of the locals, and the repressive behavior of the Russian dictator. My sources of knowledge were mainly liberal news outlets, YouTube podcasts, and Twitter, through which I formed some opinions regarding this invasion. This issue is controversial from a historical perspective.
On the one hand, the Russian leader’s position is that some Ukrainian territories traditionally belong to Russia and should be returned. In addition, as stated in an interview with Tucker Carlson, Putin believes that the people of Ukraine are predominantly Nazis who are disadvantaging the local Russian population (Stanovaya, 2024). On the other hand, attacking a sovereign state and attempting to impose one’s historical paradigm is a clear act of aggression and a war crime. Thus, the contentiousness of this issue, like any other war, is about who is right and which side is more beneficial to the world.
An additional factor to be considered in this context is the role of American influence. The US administration is supporting Ukraine with money, weapons, and political assistance. From Putin’s point of view, this represents direct American interference and, thus, hegemonic Western influence in an attempt to impose a pro-American regime in Ukraine and threaten Russia. From the US point of view, it is an attempt to stop the aggression of the Russian dictator and help the locals retain their sovereignty.
I hold the second view that attacking an independent state in the 21st century is neither normal nor should it be encouraged. I see a favorable role for the US in helping a small state in a difficult time, even though the political interests of the Democratic Party may be behind it. In the news article, Isachenkov (2022) talks about Putin’s motivation: the war was started because the US was trying to create an enemy of Russia out of Ukraine, which means the Russian leader wanted to stop America’s hegemony.
No matter the conflicts the US is involved in, even with many casualties on both sides, the countries live better lives. The US helped Iran get out of a terrorist dictatorship for a while, stopped the spread of totalitarianism in Afghanistan, and helped Israel in the war against Hamas. Each of the countries that has trusted the US has begun to live more democratic and prosperous lives, so it seems to me that there is no hegemony of our country, but rather the spread of favorable social foundations by a more progressive and prosperous state. Hence, I disagree with Putin’s views, as expressed in the news article, which argue that the US is spreading a dangerous and ruinous influence.
People who disagree with me may object and say that the spread of American democracy, even militarily, violates the sovereignty of states and leads to the forcible imposition of rules of life alien to foreign communities. This makes some sense since such behavior leads to the unification of global society and the imposition of democratic foundations everywhere, even if it is atypical of the society. Thus, such people can say that for other cultures, democratic values may be wrong and do not necessarily mean the right strategy in the long run.
Conclusion
In conclusion, such questions should be asked regularly to keep thinking critically and test different points of view. If an individual holds only one point of view without understanding the other side, it can lead to naive blindness, negatively impacting their analytical thinking and lifestyle. When the ruler of a large state is convinced of his rightness and cannot listen to other points of view, it leads to war and the development of a dictatorship in society.
References
Isachenkov, V. (2022). Putin condemns U.S. ‘hegemony,’ predicts an end to ‘unipolar’ world. Los Angeles Times.
Stanovaya, T. (2024). Why Putin’s interview with Tucker Carlson didn’t go to plan. Carnegie Endowment.
UMF. (2024). Research topic ideas. University of Michigan-Flint.