politics

Clash between liberal, authoritarian values at G20 summit

44 Comments
By Elaine Kurtenbach and Foster Klug

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44 Comments
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Trump shaking hands with a murderer of free speech, pretty much sums it up right there

14 ( +29 / -15 )

There was a time when one could view a photo from an event like this, and point out the handful of authoritarian rulers, despots, dictators, etc, and the President of the United States would not be one of them.

This is no longer true.

19 ( +27 / -8 )

Trump neglecting the group photo to get a handshake shot with the Saudis. And mistiming it.

A question to any Americans on this site - are any of you embarrassed that the US voted this guy in,?

18 ( +26 / -8 )

Even if it is a national representative, it is free to have personal conviction. However, you need to be careful not to mislead the media. There is no doubt that it is better to talk than to cause a dispute by force.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

wtfjapan - Trump shaking hands with a murderer of free speech,

Actually, Trump is securing US oil supplies for the next 50 years, if it doesn't run out before then.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

This photograph showing the shameless Don, self-appointed "Leader of the Free World", eagerly extending his tiny hand to grasp the hand of a cold-blooded killer will enter history's hall of infamy, even if the conscienceless Trumpsters couldn't give a rat's *ss about the (im)moral implications or how the rest of the "free" world will judge "The Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave (cough)".

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Clash between liberal, authoritarian values

yes, and it is time for all countries to pick a side.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Why shouldn't he shake hands with a bearded lady? After all it is his type. Ok the bone saw under the dress was mistaken for something it wasn't.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Russian President Vladimir Putin for suggesting in an interview with the newspaper Financial Times that liberalism was "obsolete."

Trump's seen that Putin's leading an authoritarian regime and has become the richest man in the world through his position and by selling off his nation's assets. Trump wants to emulate Putin, become the US's kaiser (Putin's the Russian czar; Trump's father was 'born' in Germany. har. )

http://fortune.com/2017/07/29/vladimir-putin-russia-jeff-bezos-bill-gates-worlds-richest-man/

That 'liberalism' is fraught with problems is hard to deny, but anyone pushing for an authoritarian system to replace it should look closely at China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and other authoritarian states. And read history, especially the 1930s.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

lol "What I find really obsolete are: authoritarianism, personality cults, the rule of oligarchs. Even if sometimes they may seem effective."

and what exactly his role is? maybe he wants to remind how he dictates rules ?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Trump neglecting the group photo to get a handshake shot with the Saudis. And mistiming it.

A question to any Americans on this site - are any of you embarrassed that the US voted this guy in,?

But Merkel is okay? Or the geezer on the far left? Typical lefty liberal rhetoric - is Trump's tie okay?

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Ridiculous photo. All of them waving like little children.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Actually, Trump is securing US oil supplies for the next 50 years, if it doesn't run out before then.

oh ok that fine then, doesn't matter that America is making enough of it own oil , maybe they can start a war with Iran , get some puppet government in and be favoured trader of oil for the next 50yrs. Damn the instability and the 100s thousands of lives lost, hold on that sound eerily familiar

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Tusk, what it is obsolete is your conception of freedoms, human rights and rule of law; not freedoms, human rights and rule of law theirselves.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Trump shaking hands with a murderer of free speech, pretty much sums it up right there

You have evidence that none of the other countries' leaders didn't shake his hand?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Liberalism is authoritarianism. I think they mean liberalism vs libertarianism.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

What a vile, putrid group of people (not all) but accepting standing in the same room as these people is not a great sign of moral integrity., coming up with new ways to make us poor while they get richer. Hurt their feelings? well don't drink the tea, or apply for a marriage licence. How on earth did we end up with such self serving murderous representatives.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

is Trump's tie okay?

No, his tie is stupid too.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Trump neglecting a group photo comment is a weak one, of the millions of pics taken on this moment, this publication seems to have deliberately chosen this one for publication, The German Chancelor seems to be having a chit chatty moment with the only Black African president in attendance, the other guy on the far left seems to looking somewhere else, and not the camera, some are waving hands, some are not, definitely Xi ping is not smiling the list can go on. Just because its Trump???

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Who need trump, what century are u, all in ???.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There are ony three world leaders in the photo that have genuine political influence to make change.

Only one has a mandate to governm President Trump. Two Presidents, Putin and Xi Jinping are dictators. The rest with respect are irrelevant numbers. .

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"What I find really obsolete are: authoritarianism, personality cults, the rule of oligarchs. Even if sometimes they may seem effective."

I wish Europe Union and their people best of luck, although odds seems to be not in their favor these days.

with Trump, Putin, and Xi alike being the hotshots.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

But Merkel is okay? Or the geezer on the far left? Typical lefty liberal rhetoric - is Trump's tie okay?

Merkel is fine. She just missed the shot. The geezer on the far left too. Meanwhile Trump centre stage decides he is going to make a point of being seen to shake hands with the Saudis for the group photo, when everyone else is waving.

No I'm not a lefty liberal. And yes Trump is an embarrassment to global politics.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Government of Japan should be wary, not a signal noticeable demonstration, or the usual required use of tear gas or water cannon. The other 19 might insist all future summits are hosted in Japan.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So, the world problems are in color or not saying hi !

Trump is in the middle trying under Commonwealth advice to forgive the south arabia leader. But, it is cautious.

France leader seems powerless because he has nothing to do here. He doesn't understand the world game everyone is playing. He is a tool of french historical fools for his devil contract hand.

Let's hope for the better.

°

NadAge

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'm not sure which leader of his country is better - President Trump or President Putin. I'd vote for either of them in a heart beat over any of those spineless Western European clowns (or the Canadian cry baby)!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

President Trump or President Putin. I'd vote for either of them in a heart beat over any of those spineless Western European clowns (or the Canadian cry baby)!

Yes but it's very easy to bump off your Russian opposition. Or to put up walls to deal with immigration (still unbuilt).

Those 'spineless' Western European clowns all abide to reasonable laws against murdering their opposition and if they promise to build walls they usually get the job done.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This issue is not an either or for every nation or country. One don of liberal es not have to be on one side or the other as everything is a matter of perspective relative to their own situation, circumstances, condition and environment. It appears that they are all with a blend or mixture of both in varying degrees but with a definite emotional and idealistic bias toward one or the other.

It also appears that Putin's definition and use of liberal in this particular situation was to describe and identify the "extreme" lack of responsibility and respect for others when liberalism becomes free to express a single ideal as being good for all, an idealism without pragmatism. Then the response brought in the concept of authoritarianism and oligarchy, which was not mentioned or described by Putin at all. All Putin did was to point out the loss of meaningful and practical application and consideration expressed by "liberal" for lack of an applicable word or was translated as liberal by the translators.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Trump posed for a pic with the Saudi leader! Horrible!

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/450819-trump-poses-next-to-saudi-crown-prince-in-g20-group-photo

but wait......

While Trump was not responsible for where he stood for the photo

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Very surprising that Japan has let a Saudi Arabian murderer into the country.....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Very surprising that Japan has let a Saudi Arabian murderer into the country.....

Diplomatic immunity.  South Korean President Moon is also allowed to Japan although he had illegally entered Japan's territory Takeshima before.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"We are here as Europeans also to firmly and unequivocally defend and promote liberal democracy."

So why does Europe and the Western Wimps keep kowtowing to the US? Why do they allow the US to push them into sanctions? Why do they feel so threatened and intimidated by the US. Stand up, get a spine and form your own foreign policy instead to allowing the US to dictate to you. Start defending your "liberal democracy".

0 ( +2 / -2 )

A question to any Americans on this site - are any of you embarrassed that the US voted this guy in,?

I'm not so much embarrassed, as I am seething with rage of the stupidity, blatant ignorance, and arrogance of some of my fellow Americans. I don't get embarrassed for things I don't actively participate in that create problems. I obviously didn't vote for him, not that I liked Hillary, I just knew he was the worst choice between the two. Better the devil you know than the one you don't.

Trump is definitely on the side of authoritarianism. Why else do his supporters foam at the mouth with worship for him?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Yes but it's very easy to bump off your Russian opposition. Or to put up walls to deal with immigration (still unbuilt).

Those 'spineless' Western European clowns all abide to reasonable laws against murdering their opposition and if they promise to build walls they usually get the job done.

Yes, that's what I meant. Strong leaders who take care of their own people first. It's not a difficult concept.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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