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The liberal farris wheel rises from its philosophical and ideological foundations. The left pillar is supported by Kant´s seminal essay “What is Enlightenment?”, while the right pillar is supported by the Bible. From these ideas rises a plethora of stars, each depicting the plurality of voices, values and beliefs coexisting in a liberal democratic system. On the left we have what we might call the “progressive” voices, or the promoters of change, while on the right we have the “conservative” voices, or the supporters of tradition. On the bottom left, looking up to the wheel is “the Enlargement”, Aleksandar Vučić. Falling down from it is “the Exit”, former British prime minister Boris Johnson. On the bottom right stands the security guard, former NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg. In his hands, scissors and the Ukrainian flag. There is no welfare without secuirty.

Every caricature is married to its opposite. They all appear and function in pairs. Opposite of the doves of peace is the Euro. Where political integration and economic integration lead to peace, peace might sometimes also stand in the way of profit. On the opposite side of Hegel, the great German conservative idealist, stands Emmanuel Macron, the contemporary French Napoleon “wannabe” pragmatist. The Olympia coated Eiffel Tower stands naively in contrast to Slavoj Žižek, reminding neo-liberals that the glory days of the West are long gone, but not forgotten. Simone Veil, the first European parliament president, is raising her voice for inclusivity and equality, while sitting across from Beethoven, holding the Ode to Joy – or the Ode to patriarchy? Giorgia Meloni is loosing grip on to Beethoven, proclaiming “God, Family and Homeland”, while trying to hold Orban back from smacking Macron accros the face with salami ungarese. Across from the rights deductive Viktor Orban, a reproductive rights activist Nika Kovač is proclaiming: Every day is 8th of March! 

On the liberal farris wheel, normality is defined by and through diversity. Every star is unique and individual, thank you Picasso! Those rooting for exclusive politics are themselves excluded. But wait, did we not say that every concept is married to its opposite? So, where is the opposite of the liberal ticket? 

Vladimir Putin is hiding on the other side with his dynamite, waiting to blow this whole thing up. The ignition cord leading to the foundations of liberal democracy abroad is cut.  For now. 

One ticket for liberal democracy?