Under every post in Russian about the floods in Spain, there’s an explosion of posts filled with venomous hatred. One would think, what can Russians possibly have against Spain? But Spain is Western, and they passionately desire the destruction of the West.
It would be nothing, if course, if West didn’t contain a vein of self-destructiveness. The terrible lies spread by foreigners who hate us are taught in schools and proclaimed on the election stage.
Spain has traditionally been an influential Western country, participating in the development of Western thought, colonial expansion, and major European political movements. Its history involves both collaboration and rivalry with other Western powers but not a rejection of the West as an ideological whole. In recent decades, Spain has been part of the European Union, NATO, and other Western alliances, underscoring its alignment with broader Western ideals and politics.
Miguel de Unamuno, a prominent Spanish philosopher and writer who critiqued certain elements of Western rationalism and materialism, but did so from within a broader intellectual tradition that sought to reform and enhance Western thought. While he didn’t necessarily express outright “anti-Western” sentiments, his works often grappled with complex emotions and questions about existence. “The Tragic Sense of Life” (1910), this book is perhaps Unamuno’s magnum opus. In it, he delves into existential despair, the search for meaning, and the longing for personal immortality. Unamuno reflects on the human condition, our hunger for understanding, and the conflict between resignation and despair. He acknowledges the tragic nature of existence and the uncertainty surrounding life and death. His Book Niebla blurs the lines between fiction and philosophy. The protagonist, Augusto Pérez, grapples with his own existence, questioning reality, identity, and the limitations of human understanding.
Still another book of his written in 1930 San Manuel Bueno, Mártir – revolves around the character of Don Manuel, a priest in a small Spanish village. Don Manuel secretly harbors doubts about religious dogmas and the afterlife. Unamuno delves into the tension between faith and doubt, portraying a complex, sympathetic character who struggles with his role as a spiritual leader. In summary, Unamuno’s works are rich with existential themes, inner turmoil, and philosophical inquiries. Rather than expressing anti-Western sentiments, he grappled with universal human experiences—our longing for meaning, our doubts, and our search for authenticity.
José Ortega y Gasset, while he didn’t explicitly express outright “anti-Western” sentiments, some of his ideas challenged conventional Western thought. His work, The Revolt of the Masses, critiqued modern Western democracy and the rise of mediocrity but did not express hatred of the West; rather, it aimed to reflect on the challenges facing Western civilization. Here he critiques the mediocrity, conformism, and lack of individuality that he believes characterize modern Western civilization. His examination of mass culture and its impact on individuality challenges certain Western ideals. Ortega focuses on what he calls the “mass-man”—the collective population lacking individuality, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility. The mass-man represents mediocrity, conformity, and a lack of genuine engagement with life. The mass-man’s influence on society can be detrimental, as it often prioritizes comfort, conformity, and superficiality over deeper intellectual and cultural pursuits. The mass-man’s lack of individuality contrasts with the Western emphasis on individual rights and autonomy. Ortega advocates for a minority of cultivated and intellectually independent individuals to lead society. This challenges the democratic ideal of equal participation by all. It does critically examine the impact of mass society on traditional values and individualism. Ortega’s insights remain relevant as we navigate the complexities of modern civilization.
During Francisco Franco’s rule 1939 to 1975, there was some tension between Spain and other Western democracies due to Franco’s authoritarian regime and his neutral stance during World War II. However, even then, Spain did not position itself as anti-Western; instead, Francoism represented a specific vision of Spanish nationalism with conservative values. During World War II, Franco maintained Spain’s nominal neutrality but leaned toward the Axis powers (Germany and Italy). This alignment with the Axis, even if not direct hostility toward the Western Allies, damaged Spain’s international reputation.
As the war progressed, Franco sought compensation for his support. He demanded France’s North African colonies (such as Morocco and Algeria) in exchange for military cooperation against the Western Allies. But Hitler refused to cede these territories to him. After World War II, Spain was excluded from the United Nations due to its association with the Axis powers. The diplomatic sanctions imposed by the UN further isolated Spain on the international stage. His regime’s authoritarian practices also clashed with Western democratic norms.
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A conservative literary critic and college professor
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