During a conference on the future of Ukrainian and global democracy, publicist Vitalii Portnikov held an in-depth conversation with philosopher Vakhtang Kebuladze. The experts compared current trends to those of the 20th century, highlighting the rise of ultra-right and ultra-left ideologies and drawing parallels to modern challenges facing liberals and democracies.
Kebuladze stressed that today the major confrontation is between liberalism and all kinds of radicalism, rather than between left and right. He noted the similarities in rhetoric and actions of modern radical political forces across different countries, including Germany, France, and the United States, and cited historical examples where alliances between political centrists and radicals had grave consequences for democracy.
The discussion also focused on the situation in Ukraine, where democratic institutions persist—despite challenges—unlike in many other post-Soviet states. They addressed the impact of populism, the role of new technologies in politics, and the unique nature of party competition in the US and Europe.
Both experts concluded by underscoring the importance of preserving and strengthening democratic and liberal values in the postwar world, both for Ukraine and the wider international community. Ukraine’s history demonstrates that the country succeeds only when liberal and democratic practices prevail.
