00:00What I'm about to share might sound strange, but if you want to understand international relations
00:06and what's really going on in the world, stick around. By the end of the video, things will
00:12start to make sense. And if you're a politician or diplomat, you might want to use this method.
00:18It could help prevent World War 3.
00:26If we want good relationships with our neighbors, we need to understand them.
00:31The easiest way to do this is to imagine the country as a character in a story. This character
00:37has its own personality traits, interests, and fears, which shape the narrative it lives by.
00:43Every country has its unique personality type and corresponding desires and strategies for
00:49achieving its goals.
00:56Let's start with my homeland, Russia. Its personality archetype is The Giver, a country
01:02that lives not for itself, but for others. Russia constantly gives away its resources,
01:08whether to family, friends, or those in power. Soviet citizens lived in poverty, yet fed and
01:15supported countless authoritarian regimes worldwide. To the giver, generosity, even to the point
01:21of wastefulness, is second nature, because it helps to build and maintain relationships.
01:28Russia's personality subtype is The Lover. Above all, it craves love and admiration.
01:35It wants to be seen as special, dazzling, and irreplaceable. Remember the Sochi Olympics?
01:42Billions were spent, and there was even some cheating just to impress the world.
01:47The authenticity of the victory did not matter as long as it looked good. Think of it like fake
01:53eyelashes or acrylic nails. Not natural, but they get the job done. The giver-lover loves creating a
02:01spectacle and hiding flaws. When dignitaries or important guests visit, only the best is showcased.
02:08Infrastructure is often built not for locals, but for foreign visitors, like during the FIFA World Cup.
02:14There's no business logic. It's about making an impression, no matter the cost.
02:20In the Soviet Union, foreigners were given VIP treatment. Why? To impress?
02:26For Russia, it's all about showcasing brands, luxury, and a sense of being special.
02:32Russians pride themselves on having the world's most beautiful women, vast natural resources,
02:38and the highest sacrifices in World War II. In short, Russia is Cinderella. She works tirelessly,
02:47hoping to earn the love of others. Her ultimate dream is to attend the ball and captivate everyone
02:53with her beauty. Naturally, she longs for the love of the planet's most eligible prince,
02:58the United States. But lately, that relationship hasn't been working out.
03:04Now, imagine how such a character behaves when rejected or ignored, even though it's all Russia's
03:11own fault and it totally deserves what it gets. Anger and destruction are inevitable. And if the prince
03:18shows interest in Cinderella's sister, Ukraine, Russia's reaction is predictable, jealousy, and aggression.
03:27And it quickly became ugly. How to maintain peace with Russia? I don't suggest anything. I just explain how
03:35it works. Shower it with admiration. Organize gift exchange. Visit often and offer public praise.
03:44Here's some advice for anyone looking to improve relations with Russia. Focus on celebrating its inventors,
03:50artists, athletes, and writers, not its corrupt leaders. They don't truly represent the country, as no one chose them.
04:03Now, let's look at America. Its personality archetype is the explorer, with a subtype, the champion.
04:11America is curious, driven, and ambitious. It doesn't just believe in its superiority, it's confident in it, requiring no external
04:19validation.
04:20While Russia creates approval, America couldn't care less about others' opinions. What matters is being
04:26number one and proving it over and over again. If Russia is Cinderella, the US is Superman.
04:35The champion is not the best manager, because they are hyper-focused on their achievements and glory.
04:41They do things on the grand scale, achieving remarkable results. But champions can be selfish and sometimes
04:49disproportionately harsh toward enemies who challenge their dominance. Think of America's foreign policy
04:56decisions over the decades, from Hiroshima to Afghanistan. The US hates losing. When it sees other
05:03countries getting ahead, it's like waving a red flag at a bull. When the Soviets launched Sputnik,
05:11America's immediate reaction was, hold my beer, we are going to space. Like Russia, America is also generous,
05:19but for different reasons. While Russia gives to impress, the US does so to feel like a benevolent hero.
05:27Another key trait. Champions fear injury, illness, and pain, often struggling to cope with them.
05:35In their excitement, they might hurt themselves, only to panic and act irrationally afterward. Remember America's
05:42reaction to COVID-19? Tips for maintaining good relations with the US. Acknowledge their accomplishments.
05:51Respect the rules of the game. Understand that champions value allies, visionaries, and high-status
05:58partners. Take a look at America's best-selling books on Amazon. You'll notice which countries interest the
06:07US and which don't. Canada and the UK, visionaries, Japan, high-status partners, France, Italy, and again,
06:17the UK. These are the settings for most romance novels when the story takes place abroad. Romance novels
06:23are a gold mine for understanding a nation's dreams. I'll be making a separate video on this topic,
06:29so subscribe if you are curious about uncovering people's hidden desires through their entertainment preferences.
06:42I can't comment on the personality types of other countries since I haven't lived there or studied
06:48their culture deeply enough. But I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
06:53How would you describe your country's personality type? You can find the list of personality archetypes
07:00and subtypes on my website lvrbarri.com. There you also find information about the Sphinx method,
07:07my system for understanding personalities and purpose. See you in a few days!
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