‘A Polyphonic World System’: Vladimir Putin Offers a Higher Hypothesis for Global Diplomacy
Nov. 24—The following was originally written Nov. 9, but could not be posted due to our site outage. We publish it now because of its urgent current significance.
Sometimes, it is possible to introduce “frontier concepts” of great power and depth—what are sometimes called “heavy ideas”—into societies that normally prefer to ignore or avoid their world-shaking implications. We are now living in such a moment. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, speaking in Sochi at the Valdai Discussion Club on a multiplicity of topics, including the Nov. 5 Presidential elections in the United States, offered the following international thought-experiment.
“The rise of nations and cultures that have previously remained on the periphery of global politics for one reason or another means that their own distinct ideas of law and justice are playing an increasingly important role,” Putin said in his opening remarks. “They are diverse. This may give the impression of discord and perhaps cacophony, but this is only the initial phase. It is my deep conviction that the only new international system possible is one embracing polyphony, where many tones and many musical themes are sounded together to form harmony. If you like, we are moving towards a world system that is going to be polyphonic rather than polycentric, one in which all voices are heard and, most importantly, absolutely must be heard. Those who are used to soloing and want to keep it that way will have to get used to the new ‘scores’ now.”
In this way, Vladimir Putin is not merely invoking the “better angels” of the nature of Western Civilization. His reference to a “polyphonic world system” should not be instantly misunderstood as a clever rhetorical pivot from the politically-charged term “multipolarity.” Indeed, the above proposal—the immediate basis for a way out of thermonuclear war, if implemented—is only capable of being competently comprehended for action, from the standpoint of the Ten Principles for a New International Strategic and Development Architecture composed by Schiller Institute founder, Helga Zepp-LaRouche. This document, particularly in the remaining days between last Tuesday, November 5, and the inauguration of the American President on Martin Luther King Day, January 20, 2025, should be closely studied.
For example, Principle Four of that document states: “Since mankind is the only creative species known so far in the universe, and given the fact that human creativity is the only source of wealth through the potentially limitless discovery of new universal principles, one of the main aims of the new International Security and Development Architecture must be providing access to universal education for every child and adult person living. The true nature of man is to become a beautiful soul, as Friedrich Schiller discusses this, and the only person that can fulfill that condition is the genius.”
But aren’t these only “nice words”? How does this Fourth Principle pertain in any way to what Putin said? And, again: Why is Putin’s idea of a “polyphonic world system” not only the immediate, narrow pathway out of otherwise-inevitable thermonuclear war, but also the way forward to a potentially unprecedented, worldwide renaissance out of our present, century-plus trans-Atlantic New Dark Age—the latest phase of which was sparked by the November 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy? That very President John F. Kennedy hinted the answer to this question in his own way, three weeks before he was killed: “The artist, however faithful to his personal vision of reality, becomes the last champion of the individual mind and sensibility against an intrusive society and an officious state…. I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.”
Polyphony is a musical term, but perhaps our Idea of music must first be expanded, in order to understand what the actual topic is, that what both Vladimir Putin and Helga Zepp-LaRouche are proposing be discussed for an actually new strategic and development architecture to arise in the world today. The late economist and statesman Lyndon LaRouche, who spoke about this matter often, said, in his document “Music and Science: Before and After the 1815 Treaty of Vienna”: “As Beethoven emphasized, for example, the secret of the great Classical composers was the reciting of poetry as the root of musical ideas. It follows, as is the case, that instrumental music is merely an abstraction from the singing of poetry by choruses. Similarly, the music of a nation is differentiated, essentially, according to the differences in the manner in which the most influential poetry is composed in that language, as Schiller’s poetry, according to Beethoven, captures the essence of the principle of composition of German Classical music and as the poetry of Dante and Petrarca is the standard of reference for compositions of music in Italian. Hence, as the poetry composed in a language degenerates, so the power of musical composition of a user of that language degenerates.” The ability of a society to articulate its origin and deeper purpose degenerates. Soon a nation’s population can no longer recognize either their nation, or themselves. Compare, for example, the speeches of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King to the best of public orations from any American figure today. Who recognizes the better angels of America’s nature in the common political or social parlance of our time?
For the Schiller Institute, founded 40 years ago with the original intent to reverse the then-ongoing cultural collapse of Western nations by an emphasis on Classical poetry, drama and musical composition and performance, these matters are not secondary. Two weeks ago, the LaRouche Independent candidates Diane Sare and Jose Vega co-hosted an event, “Build a Chorus of Peace Against the Ghouls of War,” which employed Classical or Classically inspired musical compositions from around the world as the medium through which the speeches by the various participants, and the two candidates, were delivered. At the event, music was not an interlude; it was very fabric of the composition of, and the driver of the message of peace. Candidate Diane Sare conducted the chorus, performed in a brass quintet, and delivered one of the peace addresses, demonstrating the unity of effect of the whole.
Return, now, to consider Putin’s remarks reported above. Russia’s President is identifying polyphony as the potential basis for a renewed relationship with a morally degenerating, economically unraveling trans-Atlantic world—a new polyphonic system of international relations. It would be a good idea, it would seem, therefore if everyone interested in peace investigated what polyphony is. To respond to that proposal, Western nations need to revisit, re-examine and revive one the most powerful and misunderstood revolutions in human thinking of the past 300-plus years—the well-tempered, polyphonic revolution in musical composition and human thought, embodied in the person and compositions of J.S. Bach, and advanced by musicians and composers such as Bach’s sons, Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Robert and Clara Schumann, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, Giuseppe Verdi, Johannes Brahms, Antonin Dvorak, and certain of their associates and collaborators. President-elect Donald Trump should take note of this. A “Special Musical Operation” should be launched by the American people, if not the new Administration, which energetically colludes with Russia, China, and all other nations committed to the cause of polyphony. (It would also help to fully reject the obscene State Department “Global Musical Initiative” that Tony Blinken inaugurated last year with his awful guitar-playing, which is probably a “Color Revolution” front.)
Putin knows that Beethoven’s great Missa Solemnis was premiered in his hometown, St. Petersburg, Russia, April 7, 1824, two hundred years ago. Beethoven demanded this because he believed that Russia had many of the best singers in the world, and they were needed. Thermonuclear war may well be able to be avoided, if we dare to think like Beethoven, and build a world system of polyphony.
The New World Taking Shape Must Be Polyphonic, Putin Says
Nov. 8--Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the new system of international relations characterized by the BRICS and the new role of the Global South, must be polyphonic.
“The rise of nations and cultures that have previously remained on the periphery of global politics for one reason or another means that their own distinct ideas of law and justice are playing an increasingly important role,” Putin said. "They are diverse. This may give the impression of discord and perhaps cacophony, but this is only the initial phase. It is my deep conviction that the only new international system possible is one embracing polyphony, where many tones and many musical themes are sounded together to form harmony. If you like, we are moving towards a world system that is going to be polyphonic rather than polycentric, one in which all voices are heard and, most importantly, absolutely must be heard. Those who are used to soloing and want to keep it that way will have to get used to the new ‘scores’ now.
“The former world arrangement is irreversibly passing away, actually it has already passed away, and a serious, irreconcilable struggle is unfolding for the development of a new world order.. It is irreconcilable, above all, because this is not even a fight for power or geopolitical influence. It is a clash of the very principles that will underlie the relations of countries and peoples at the next historical stage. Its outcome will determine whether we will be able, through joint efforts, to build a world that will allow all nations to develop and resolve emerging contradictions based on mutual respect for cultures and civilizations, without coercion and use of force. And finally, whether human society will be able to retain its ethical humanistic principles, and whether an individual will be able to remain human.”
Putin also issued a warning to those who are intent on continuing the same aggressive policy: "I have previously stated that we have reached red lines. The West’s calls to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, a nation with the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, reveal the reckless adventurism of certain Western politicians. Such blind faith in their own impunity and exceptionalism could lead to a global catastrophe. Meanwhile, the former hegemons, who have been accustomed to ruling the world since colonial times, are increasingly astonished that their commands are no longer heeded. Efforts to cling to their diminishing power through force result only in widespread instability and more tensions, leading to casualties and destruction. However, these efforts fail to achieve the desired outcome of maintaining absolute, unchallenged power. For the march of history cannot be halted.
“Instead of recognizing the futility of their ambitions and the objective nature of change, certain Western elites seem poised to go to any lengths to thwart the development of a new international system that aligns with the interests of the global majority. In the recent policies of the United States and its allies, for instance, the principle of ‘You shall not belong to anyone!’ or ‘You’re either with us or against us’ has become increasingly evident. I mean to say, such a formula is very dangerous. After all, as the saying of our and many other countries goes, ‘What goes around comes around.’
“Chaos, a systemic crisis is already escalating in the very nations that attempt to implement such strategies. The pursuit of exclusivity, liberal and globalist messianism and ideological, military, and political monopoly is steadily depleting those countries that pursue these paths, pushing the world towards decline and starkly contradicting the genuine interests of the people in the United States and European countries.
“I am confident that sooner or later the West will come to this realization. Historically, its great achievements have always been rooted in a pragmatic, clear-eyed approach based on a tough, sometimes cynical but rational evaluation of circumstances and their own capabilities.
“In this context, I wish to emphasize once more: unlike our counterparts, Russia does not view Western civilization as an adversary, nor does it pose the question of ‘us or them.’ I reiterate: ‘You’re either with us or against us’ is not part of our vocabulary. We have no desire to teach anyone or impose our worldview upon anyone. Our stance is open and it is as follows.
“The West has indeed amassed significant human, intellectual, cultural, and material resources which enable it to thrive as one of the key elements of the global system. However, it is precisely ‘one of’ alongside other rapidly advancing nations and groups. Hegemony in the new international order is not a consideration. When, for instance, Washington and other Western capitals understand and acknowledge this incontrovertible fact, the process of building a world system that addresses future challenges will finally enter the phase of genuine creation. God willing, this should happen as soon as possible. This is in the shared interest, especially for the West itself.
“So far, we—meaning all those interested in creating a just and stable world—have been using too much energy to resist the destructive activities of our opponents, who are clinging to their monopoly. This is obvious, and everyone in the west, the east, the south and everywhere else is aware of this. They are trying to preserve their power and monopoly, which is obvious.
“These efforts could be directed with much better results towards addressing the common problems that concern everyone, from demography and social inequality to climate change, food security, medicine and new technology. This is where we should focus our energy, and this is what all of us should be doing.”
