Trasimach’s incarnations: Bulgaria in today’s confused world
« Trazimach: Listen to me, justice is nothing more than what is in favor of the stronger. »
Plato, the « state »
| This (cynical) view has always been present in Bulgarian politics and for most of the history of our modern state has been dominant. Especially during the time of communism The « justice » was actually completely reduced to what the ruling ones want, and especially their party leaders in Moscow and SofiaS |
Bulgaria in the embrace of the Peevski – Borisov tandem
The supports
Of course, Bulgarian politics has always differed from the value ideal. And so little by little in the vast majority of people, it was necessary to understand that politics in our country is seriously corrupt. That behind the claim that the public interest and the universal values of free democracy are being pursued, the strong of the day actually pursue their own selfish interests. Many specific scandals have actually reinforced this feeling, and the inoperative and directly conquered law enforcement and law enforcement institutions have concreted it.
| One of the great supports of the Bulgarians in upholding the value view of politics were the EU and USAS In fact, the perception of this valuable view was condition for EU and NATO membership. |
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Both the EU’s attitude towards us and the Magnitsky measures were not and cannot be explained simply as imposing the interests of the stronger on the weaker ones.
| Yes, the EU had an interest in Bulgaria not to be corrupted, the US had and had interest the southeastern flank of NATO was not pierced, but even more interest than they had and have the Bulgarians. |
Perhaps idealistic, but the EU and the United States acted on the basis of the idea that democracy and good governance can be « exported » and transplant on soils that have not historically grown very well. In the end, this strategy was successful from Japan and South Korea to post -war Germany – why failed in Bulgaria?
Modern Trasimach: Donald Trump
| Values are just negotiation tools that can be obtained more. |
From this point of view, a lot of corruption is changed. If it is assumed that « Might Makes Right », then the strong cannot be corrupt in principle. Power and money actually become an indulgence for corruption and the whitening agent for the perpetrator.
Bulgaria: In the Land of the Dwarfs Dependent
Secondly, « corruption » just becomes a label that can be glued to the political opponent. There is no truth or lie regarding corruption – only the resources that someone has in terms of adhesive labels are important.
Indeed, as the strongest can put the highest tariffs and duties on others, so it can give them labels for « corruption », regardless of the true state of affairs.
| Finally, for a policy such as America First, corrupt leaders of individual countries may be useful – the corrupt is vulnerable and ready to make big discounts. Or it is a greedy and easily sells the public interest. |
The fragile Bulgarian balance
There are majorities in Bulgaria in support of EU membership, as well as majority in support of democracy. But especially the latter are quite fragile and weaker than those in other European countries. At the same time, world autocrats or semi -autocrats – from Putin to Erdogan and Orban – are attractive to the Bulgarians. This consideration of force shows that it can easily be recognized for justice.
| But EU membership in itself cannot prevent the cynical view that power and justice are the same. In the confused global world, many can be misled by the ancient and contemporary incarnations of Trasimach, for whom values are simply a projection of power. |
And in the choice that Bulgaria will make, it will not be guided as a child for the hand from Parent 1 (EU) and Parent 2 (USA).
In other words, Bulgaria is entering adolescence in its responsible years.
:format(webp)/s3/static.nrc.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/18221607/data131056432-313125.jpg "Disagreement in coalition on defense spending: 700 million was released in the spring memorandum, but many billions are needed")
