Good article! My only qualm is that you equate communism with authoritarianism. I would admit that it’s not merely an historical accident that they tend to go hand-in-hand, but I don’t believe that to be a necessity. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking. Other than that, your analysis is spot on! We are defined by our enemies and our adversities. At least that’s the easiest way to define ourselves. I’m the absence of those, deriving meaning is quite the Herculean task! Thank you for writing this!