Within the framework of the new course on political theory, USPS conducted an experimental School Club in the format of an open lecture. The speaker at the course and the Club is Ivan Gomza, a political sciences candidate, professor at KSE Faculty of Master’s Social and Humanitarian Studies, and permanent lecturer at USPS.
The central topic for the discussion was discussion of the concept of hubris on examples of the Franco-Prussian and First World Wars, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Also, within the lecture, Ivan Gomza presented his book “The Republic of Decline: French Integral Nationalism during the Third Republic” to better understand the origins of military-political pride.
So, what is hubris?
If we speak from the point of view of jurisprudence, this is a violent crime which aims at depriving the victim of their status. For example, when one state decides to attack another country with the intention of conquering it. However, there is also another meaning of hubris, which is mentioned even in Greek mythology – pride that violates the natural order and is punished with terrible failure.
That is, everyone who committed the crime of hubris will be punished. Be it diplomatic fiascos or defeats on the battlefield, fate will, by all means, interfere. And when that actor, e.g., the state, faces such punishment, it experiences an identity crisis and decline.
This is what happened to France in the Franco-Prussian War, Germany in the First World War, and Russia with its invasion of Ukraine. France’s defeat led to Napoleon III’s fall, which ended the Second French Empire. Germany lost the war, as well as 13% of its population and was forced to pay reparations. Russia, on its part, failed in its plan to capture “Kyiv in three days,” found itself under sanctions, lost its status in the international arena and got into the war of attrition.
The views of the leader, the role of the state institution, and the relationship between it and society directly affect whether the state is at risk of hubris. It establishes how the political power-holders imagine threats in the international arena, how they decide to attack, and how they direct their policies.
Discussing the causes and consequences of hubris was the central topic of the Club. During the discussion, participants drew parallels between the great efforts and errors of France and Germany and those of Russia.
We are grateful to the “Sens” book store and our 2023 graduate, Oleksii Erinchak, for the opportunity to hold the new format Club and spread the senses.
