Donald Trump has won the US elections and is set to become the president of the United States. Trump emerged victorious over Hillary Clinton in what has been called a major upset. Given Trump’s rhetoric and the policy changes he spelt out in and during his campaign, the United States is set for major changes. Be it immigration, foreign and defense policies, trade, economic and social policies and Government, Trump has promised to change all these in an effort to “make America great again”. The question is how did Trump manage to connect to American voters?
Trump exposed and exploited the various fault lines in the United States. These fault lines shot out in the open on account of structural forces – globalization, liberal immigration policies, the social and economic forces released by economics of globalization and finance and a slothful Government seen by “ordinary” Americans as “corrupt” – captured by interest groups and lobbyists. Overlaying these issues was Hillary Clinton’s image (Hillary was loathed by many as representing the establishment and hence the status quo. She was also held in distaste for being a Clinton). Trump dexterously exploited all these issues in a populist rhetoric that resonated among many Americans who felt excluded, their identity swamped and hence their nation under threat.
The larger question is: Will Trump enact his rhetoric into policy? And what will be the form and shape of the United States under the Trump presidency?
On the face of it, Trump, given his temperament and the promises he has made to the electorate, would have no choice but to reformulate policies and rejig America in sync with his policies. The Justice and the court system, health care, taxation, the nature of the executive and hence the Government, foreign and economic policies will be sought to be reformulated and changed. But the saving grace might be the nature of American institutions , their substance and resilience and the path dependence of policies and their legacy that might put a check on Trump’s ambitions.
This, at least, is the hope. If, however, Trump manages to rejig and displace past paradigms, it will change and morph the character and nature of the United States. The country will retreat into itself, there will be a rise in protectionism, curbs will be placed on immigration and minorities in the United States will be squeezed. Allies will be made to pay a price for America’s commitment to them and the country might become isolationist. All this will not only impact the United States but world order and international relations as well. The post War international political and economic order will fray and frazzle and the gains that have accrued from this order will be frittered. All in all, Trump presidency , regardless of whether there will be a 100% alignment between his rhetoric and policy will inaugurate a period of uncertainty and fluidity in different and diverse domains. Such is the potency , influence and impact of the United States, that this uncertainty and fluidity will impact the whole world.
If Trump manages to rejig and displace past paradigms, it will change and morph the character and nature of the United States. The country will retreat into itself, there will be a rise in protectionism, curbs will be placed on immigration and minorities in the United States will be squeezed. Allies will be made to pay a price for America’s commitment to them and the country might become isolationist. All this will not only impact the United States but world order and international relations as well. The post War international political and economic order will fray and frazzle and the gains that have accrued from this order will be frittered.
The United States, has been, despite some blemishes and hiccups a model for many. While the country is still a work in progress, the fear is that the country might head into an all together different direction and trajectory. A fearful, fretful, ideologically charged and polarized United States might unwind the past gains and morph into something ungainly. It is not only the country itself that will pay a price but the world at large too. Our hope is that the institutional matrix and the checks and balances inhering in the country’s Constitution and the foundational values of its peoples will be strong and robust enough to withstand any assault. And, that Trump, once in power, will moderate and soften his tone and hence policy. If, however, Trump persists and indulges in pandering or even his instinct, dark times portent ahead for the United States and by extension the world. America , as we know it, would not be the same. This would constitute a tragedy and travesty of the highest order. Alas!
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |