Beware the Blurring Lines Between Economy and Stateism

It is crucial to distinguish between economic control and stateism, which emphasizes the primacy of state interests. In Russia, this is manifested through a concept of patriotism that often leads to blind allegiance to state actions. This perspective suggests that patriotism encompasses all state decisions, reflecting a strong emotional connection to the country, regardless of its policies. While some degree of economic control exists, it does not equate to total control, as evidenced by historical regimes like Hitler's, which maintained ideology while permitting the existence of private business. Understanding these nuances is key to analyzing the relationship between ideology and state control.