Though the days of running over trench lines to punch a Nazi in the face are long behind us, some nations are still finding innovative ways to promote democracy.
What was the grave sin in this case? A Swedish advertising agency air-dropped hundreds of teddy bears (with parachutes) wearing pro-democracy messages onto Belarusian soil.
Lukashenko, often called ‘Europe’s last dictator’, reacted as would be expected, by ejecting the Swedish diplomatic offices and arresting several Belarusians who had contact with the advertising firm.
In 2010 Lukashenko cheated himself into yet another election victory. Since then, he’s proceeded to jail, harass and beat opposition leaders, while also banning demonstrations.
The Belarusian government has a notorious disregard for freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom from torture. It also has hardly any independent media and no independent judicial system.
The country’s reputation has been a singular and tragic shame within Europe’s otherwise broad democratic virtues. There have been several stories of Belarusians attempting to rebel against their oppressive leadership, often with eyebrow raising results. Last year for instance, a one-armed man was among several hundred people arrested for taking part in a clapping protest!
More recently, Belarusian activist Paval Vinahradau was detained for staging a toy protest in Minsk. This inspired Swedish Advertising agency, Studio Total, to concoct the Teddy-drop stunt.
Comedy is a rare commodity within the bleak worlds of dictatorships, and certainly an effective publicity weapon against rulers who rely on an image of severity and authority. How can a dictator survive laughter?
Per Cromwell, Studio Total’s chief executive, explained his tactic “You can’t really win a fight against a teddy bear because if you don’t do anything you will look ridiculous, or if you start fighting back, you will look ridiculous.”
Per Cromwell, Studio Total’s chief executive, explained his tactic “You can’t really win a fight against a teddy bear because if you don’t do anything you will look ridiculous, or if you start fighting back, you will look ridiculous.”
Though the effectiveness of military, diplomatic and clandestine tactics will never be in doubt, I believe many would like to see this kind of warfare promoted by flourishing democracies: ideas that reach out to oppressed populations using education, innovation and when appropriate…humor.
That is how you win the hearts and minds of a population all too familiar with brutality and subjugation.
- Roy Klabin
