Abstrakt
Following the 2022 escalated invasion of Ukraine, the terms "Westsplaining" and "Westsplainer" seem to be gaining momentum. They are used in reaction to commentary that is delivered by established Western intellectuals-be they American realists, German idealists, or sometimes even critical scholars from Ireland.
Many people from what is typically known as Central and Eastern Europe, as well as some of their Western colleagues, tend to find such commentary not only useless but, in fact, harmful. Far from being purely theoretical academic contemplation, it uses influential Western media forums to provide policy advice that is often based on false assumptions and projections.
At the same time, some Westerners may feel wronged here, as the term "Westsplaining" could sound too much like an attempt to deny them the right to participate in expert debate based solely on their personal background. Without pretending to have a monopoly on the definition, I will try to explain why, in my opinion, the term makes sense and how it can be used critically without being reduced to a vulgar ad hominem.