We see plenty of “useful idiots” today. They no longer carry the Bolsheviks’ water, but rather parrot the CCP line as they disparage the West and praise China.
“Useful idiot” is a fascinating term, because in and of itself it’s utterly devoid of meaning.
Functionally, all you’re doing is calling someone an “idiot”, while making vague hand motions that their belief system might be congruent with someone that you perceive to be an enemy.
For example, would you consider Ai Weiwei to be a “useful idiot”? Certainly from a Chinese perspective you might see the case! From a western perspective, you might grant that he’s “useful”, but not an “idiot”. Why is he not an idiot? … because he agrees with you, of course.
“Useful idiot” is a shorthand that shuts down conversation. It dulls critical thinking. It is an ad hominem that implies that there’s something vaguely traitorous about someone’s opinion, while sidestepping the opinion itself.
If you consider advocating the handing over of Russia’s paltry assets at the time like oil industry, mining et al to Russia’s criminal enterprise, intel bosses and local party apparatchiks to ingratiate himself with them, oh yea … he’s a real champ
“Useful idiot” is a fascinating term, because in and of itself it’s utterly devoid of meaning.
Functionally, all you’re doing is calling someone an “idiot”, while making vague hand motions that their belief system might be congruent with someone that you perceive to be an enemy.
For example, would you consider Ai Weiwei to be a “useful idiot”? Certainly from a Chinese perspective you might see the case! From a western perspective, you might grant that he’s “useful”, but not an “idiot”. Why is he not an idiot? … because he agrees with you, of course.
“Useful idiot” is a shorthand that shuts down conversation. It dulls critical thinking. It is an ad hominem that implies that there’s something vaguely traitorous about someone’s opinion, while sidestepping the opinion itself.
Actually the term has specific meaning historically
Don’t agree with anything here guys! Hard to claim insights if one doesn’t not dare to open one’s eyes. Your totlot has been emptying of late.
Yes I agree re my tot lot.
Rob, you nailed it. Excellent column. Love reading your insights and analysis.
Stephen thanks. Appreciate your kind words.
https://open.substack.com/pub/soyonbo/p/direct-connection-or-vpn-how-twitters?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=38fbm3
It's always worth calling out useful idiots for what they are - tools of authoritarian states.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thechrissampson/p/the-myths-of-jeffrey-sachs-and-the
https://open.substack.com/pub/eastsplaining/p/jeffrey-sachs-the-expert
https://gnet-research.org/2023/10/02/tankies-a-data-driven-understanding-of-left-wing-extremists-on-social-media/
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/vladimir-putin-s-useful-idiots-in-europe-1688485767.html
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546553.2018.1555996
Great piece Bob. One of your best. Especially in light of the recent NYC election where the socialist claims convinced a whole city of useful idiots.
Thanks Robin
B4 China Jeffry was the Soviet Union’s/Russia’s male member holster
He facilitated rapid privatization.
If you consider advocating the handing over of Russia’s paltry assets at the time like oil industry, mining et al to Russia’s criminal enterprise, intel bosses and local party apparatchiks to ingratiate himself with them, oh yea … he’s a real champ
Some idiots are not even useful.