"Can we blame Trump for seeing the world as divided between pragmatic and rational nationalists seeking to put their countries first, versus a cosmopolitan and globalist elite that undermines national interests, democracy and international peace?"
Can any rational man avoid the same conclusion?
The cosmopolitan globalist elite have been trumpeting their plans for the rest of us via every broadcast mechanism that exists, for decades now. They've been openly boasting of their control of parliaments and cabinets, of international institutions, for decades now. They've consciously branded themselves as "the open conspiracy". They have viciously persecuted dissenters using every legal and illegal means, trashing the legitimacy of the very institutions they control, in order to prevent any rollback of their past successes. The damage they've done is incalculable and incontrovertible.
“…Russia transitions away from the out-group “them” as an authoritarian state, and into the in-group of “us” as a traditional Christian European state that rejects the excesses of liberalism and subsequent moral decadence.…”
Trump is not a part of this group. He….IS…. moral decadence. Corrupt. Unethical. Crass. Destroys families and culture. And his entire life lives out liberalisation and financialization of everything.
There is no such thing as a “traditional Christian” state. Let’s be honest. Does not exist.
What we have are crooks donning the garb of “Christian” to rally fools to support them in hatred, while they line their own pockets.
Right, Putin and Trump have in common that they have both been hunted and demonized by the US establishment/Biden Democrats and the EU. Maybe that´s why they seem to understand one another and have a good chemistry.
I think Trump has always had huge respect for Putin. I suspect Putin respects Trump, too.
Also, I think they get on quite well on a personal level. Very different temperaments and personalities, yes, but that can often be the basis of good relationships.
It's a good thing, overall, because if the two of them can have just a tiny bit of trust in each other, great things may result for Russia, the US and the world in general. Fingers crossed.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! To subscribe the reasoning behind events as being the result of personal insults and political rivalries (eg Republican versus Democrat), is to entirely miss the point. The rise of Trump reflects a very different set of circumstances. Yes, the guy is obnoxious, racist, sexist and ignorant but the very fact that the ruling class of the USA have backed Trump reflects a very deep malaise, a crisis in US capitalism for which Trump's personality disorder acts as a convenient cover, so when things go wrong, which they surely will (are), Trump will take the fall.
I think the point here is that the deep crisis of capital is presented to us as a piece of theatre, that events are determined by the actions of individuals, that for example, WW1 was triggered by the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand in Sarejevo, an event that has actually been used as a comparison with the US-Russia-NATO confrontation.
Yes, it seems really bizarre to rational and informed, thinking people that a personally nasty, ignorant and vindictive individual like Trump would be 'elected' to be the head of the most powerful country on the planet. Why would the ruling class of the US feel that Trump is the best person to represent its interests? Perhaps the point here is that in fact, Trump's psychopathy is a mirror of the psychopathy of the US ruling class and importantly, it's nomenclatura, whose future is directly connected to the survival of the Empire.
Moreover, the nature of the propaganda system employed to maintain the Empire's rule has, to a great extent, supplanted, replaced reality, thus the thinking and the actions and the results of it, now determine the Empire's actions. As Goebbels said, more than 80 years ago, never believe your own propaganda but this is precisely what has happened! This is the Matrix made real, the results of which could end us all.
Trump expressed an affinity toward Putin based on a shared struggle against shared adversaries. Trump argued that “Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt, where they used him and Russia. Russia, Russia, Russia, you ever hear of that deal? … It was a Democrat scam. He had to go through it. And he did go through it”. Trump argued that if Putin broke any deals, then it was with Obama and Biden, as Putin never broke any deals with him due to mutual respect.
There was no shared struggle against shared adversaries. Never once did Trump commiserate with Putin over their shared plight. Trump instead turned on Putin in order to save himself.
He intimidated the Germans into not opening up Nordstream. He equipped the Ukrainians with javelin anti-tank missles. Expelled Russian diplomats. Abandoned the I.N.F. treaty. He was never concerned about stopping the war.
Putin hasn't ever broken a deal. Trump broke deals with Russia.
Putin may respect Yrump based on thr office he holds, but Trump doesn't have any respect for Putin.
Putin and Trump are authoritarian leaders but that doesnt in anyway help understand the reality of the situation. Trump is backed by neocons in the pentagon, what is called the deep state, who still cling to the cold war. Trump is contentious in that regards, pity the same cannot be said about the relationship with Israel.
The Liberals and Globalists have to also recognize that Cultural Change cannot be imposed from outside through "Cultural Coercion". "Cultural Coercion" creates strong defensive forces that act against the pressures of desired Cultural Coercion.
The "Patriotism" of Orbán or Trump is a democratic defensive response of those majorities that feel that
- the Liberal Values are a threat against their "Righteous Values";
- the Globalist Values are a threat against their "Economic Interests",
which, unfortunately IS partly true.
So, I would suggest to Liberals and Globalists:
1) STOP PUSHING
2) SHOW RESULTS AND EXAMPLE
3) BE TRULY TOLERANT (defensiveness is a sign of Fear)
4) BUILD ON COMMON VALUES, NOT ON DIFFERENCES
5) STOP DEMONIZING YOUR COMPETITORS,
DON'T TRANSFORM THEM INTO ADVERSARIES AND EVIL ENEMIES.
6) USE CONFLICT FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CHOICE CREATION NOT DESTRUCTIVE WARS!
There is a VERY SERIOUS aspect omitted from your many various analysis.
Did eventually the US Military and Elites recognize that:
1) the Russian - American conflict CAN BRING CIVILIZATION TO END?
2) Russia can NOT be defeated on its own turf; the total mobilization of Russia can create a MASTODON that no Power in the World can bring to its knees - not to mention the very real risk of a Total Destruction of Human Civilization as we know it?
this is the main difference in liberal democracy USA and EU strive(d) to be (in USA case used to strive) and illiberal democracies(?) with supreme rulers which usually work well only for the ruler and sycophants while they are in favor
so far... USA had no defenestrations ...unless you consider tourists killing Capitol police... but im still eating popcorn and watching with great interest how arbitrary authority will translate... and when will people start getting canceled a bit more permanently by someone that declares himself above law
its Fascism and rule by arbitrary decree where some people can be declared subhuman vs rule of law where everyone can live without constant fear.... i thought that this was supposed to be a civilization norm now... but i guess that some people wish to regress
I welcome the basic optimism of this analysis. However, can a leader truly be regarded as a nationalist if he consistently puts the interests of Israel above those of his own nation?
Well written and i fully agree with your refreshing view of the issue. Kr Harald
"Can we blame Trump for seeing the world as divided between pragmatic and rational nationalists seeking to put their countries first, versus a cosmopolitan and globalist elite that undermines national interests, democracy and international peace?"
Can any rational man avoid the same conclusion?
The cosmopolitan globalist elite have been trumpeting their plans for the rest of us via every broadcast mechanism that exists, for decades now. They've been openly boasting of their control of parliaments and cabinets, of international institutions, for decades now. They've consciously branded themselves as "the open conspiracy". They have viciously persecuted dissenters using every legal and illegal means, trashing the legitimacy of the very institutions they control, in order to prevent any rollback of their past successes. The damage they've done is incalculable and incontrovertible.
Can any rational man avoid the same conclusion?
“…Russia transitions away from the out-group “them” as an authoritarian state, and into the in-group of “us” as a traditional Christian European state that rejects the excesses of liberalism and subsequent moral decadence.…”
Trump is not a part of this group. He….IS…. moral decadence. Corrupt. Unethical. Crass. Destroys families and culture. And his entire life lives out liberalisation and financialization of everything.
There is no such thing as a “traditional Christian” state. Let’s be honest. Does not exist.
What we have are crooks donning the garb of “Christian” to rally fools to support them in hatred, while they line their own pockets.
Right, Putin and Trump have in common that they have both been hunted and demonized by the US establishment/Biden Democrats and the EU. Maybe that´s why they seem to understand one another and have a good chemistry.
I think Trump has always had huge respect for Putin. I suspect Putin respects Trump, too.
Also, I think they get on quite well on a personal level. Very different temperaments and personalities, yes, but that can often be the basis of good relationships.
It's a good thing, overall, because if the two of them can have just a tiny bit of trust in each other, great things may result for Russia, the US and the world in general. Fingers crossed.
I see no character traits that they share. Trump is an emotional, irrational,rashes, hothead.
Putin is a quiet, patient, logical, scholarly intellectual.
Putin grieves over the deaths of the Ukrainian and Russian soldiers. Trump is indifferent to the elimination of human lives on a mass scale.
Trump breaks international law, Putin embraces international law.
Trump is an authoritarian whereas Putin is a democrat. Putin can extemperaneously conduct an historic lesson on Slavic history without notes.
And Putin adheres to international law.
A thought-provoking piece. Definitely worth a read.
Very well explained and convincing.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! To subscribe the reasoning behind events as being the result of personal insults and political rivalries (eg Republican versus Democrat), is to entirely miss the point. The rise of Trump reflects a very different set of circumstances. Yes, the guy is obnoxious, racist, sexist and ignorant but the very fact that the ruling class of the USA have backed Trump reflects a very deep malaise, a crisis in US capitalism for which Trump's personality disorder acts as a convenient cover, so when things go wrong, which they surely will (are), Trump will take the fall.
I think the point here is that the deep crisis of capital is presented to us as a piece of theatre, that events are determined by the actions of individuals, that for example, WW1 was triggered by the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand in Sarejevo, an event that has actually been used as a comparison with the US-Russia-NATO confrontation.
Yes, it seems really bizarre to rational and informed, thinking people that a personally nasty, ignorant and vindictive individual like Trump would be 'elected' to be the head of the most powerful country on the planet. Why would the ruling class of the US feel that Trump is the best person to represent its interests? Perhaps the point here is that in fact, Trump's psychopathy is a mirror of the psychopathy of the US ruling class and importantly, it's nomenclatura, whose future is directly connected to the survival of the Empire.
Moreover, the nature of the propaganda system employed to maintain the Empire's rule has, to a great extent, supplanted, replaced reality, thus the thinking and the actions and the results of it, now determine the Empire's actions. As Goebbels said, more than 80 years ago, never believe your own propaganda but this is precisely what has happened! This is the Matrix made real, the results of which could end us all.
Trump expressed an affinity toward Putin based on a shared struggle against shared adversaries. Trump argued that “Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt, where they used him and Russia. Russia, Russia, Russia, you ever hear of that deal? … It was a Democrat scam. He had to go through it. And he did go through it”. Trump argued that if Putin broke any deals, then it was with Obama and Biden, as Putin never broke any deals with him due to mutual respect.
There was no shared struggle against shared adversaries. Never once did Trump commiserate with Putin over their shared plight. Trump instead turned on Putin in order to save himself.
He intimidated the Germans into not opening up Nordstream. He equipped the Ukrainians with javelin anti-tank missles. Expelled Russian diplomats. Abandoned the I.N.F. treaty. He was never concerned about stopping the war.
Putin hasn't ever broken a deal. Trump broke deals with Russia.
Putin may respect Yrump based on thr office he holds, but Trump doesn't have any respect for Putin.
Trump is desperately distorting his image.
Trump isn't to be trusted, ever.
Putin and Trump are authoritarian leaders but that doesnt in anyway help understand the reality of the situation. Trump is backed by neocons in the pentagon, what is called the deep state, who still cling to the cold war. Trump is contentious in that regards, pity the same cannot be said about the relationship with Israel.
A very interesting and well written analysis.
The Liberals and Globalists have to also recognize that Cultural Change cannot be imposed from outside through "Cultural Coercion". "Cultural Coercion" creates strong defensive forces that act against the pressures of desired Cultural Coercion.
The "Patriotism" of Orbán or Trump is a democratic defensive response of those majorities that feel that
- the Liberal Values are a threat against their "Righteous Values";
- the Globalist Values are a threat against their "Economic Interests",
which, unfortunately IS partly true.
So, I would suggest to Liberals and Globalists:
1) STOP PUSHING
2) SHOW RESULTS AND EXAMPLE
3) BE TRULY TOLERANT (defensiveness is a sign of Fear)
4) BUILD ON COMMON VALUES, NOT ON DIFFERENCES
5) STOP DEMONIZING YOUR COMPETITORS,
DON'T TRANSFORM THEM INTO ADVERSARIES AND EVIL ENEMIES.
6) USE CONFLICT FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CHOICE CREATION NOT DESTRUCTIVE WARS!
There is a VERY SERIOUS aspect omitted from your many various analysis.
Did eventually the US Military and Elites recognize that:
1) the Russian - American conflict CAN BRING CIVILIZATION TO END?
2) Russia can NOT be defeated on its own turf; the total mobilization of Russia can create a MASTODON that no Power in the World can bring to its knees - not to mention the very real risk of a Total Destruction of Human Civilization as we know it?
Did
well.. .they do have in common a strange feature that bad stuff happens to their political opponents and that law is only a loose guideline to both
https://hartmannreport.com/p/trumps-america-where-even-us-citizens-616?
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/12/russian-tycoon-pavel-antov-dies-putin-ukraine/672601/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trumps-canceling-scores-security-clearances-unprecedented-rcna189245
this is the main difference in liberal democracy USA and EU strive(d) to be (in USA case used to strive) and illiberal democracies(?) with supreme rulers which usually work well only for the ruler and sycophants while they are in favor
so far... USA had no defenestrations ...unless you consider tourists killing Capitol police... but im still eating popcorn and watching with great interest how arbitrary authority will translate... and when will people start getting canceled a bit more permanently by someone that declares himself above law
https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and-opinion/goodbye-rule-of-law-usa/5122625.article
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-post-critics-declaring-law/story?id=118880089
Has strong China vibes... where some people come for you and you are simply misplaced
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/scholars-targeted-deportation-trump-administration-rcna197331
its not Nationalism vs Cosmopolitanism
its Fascism and rule by arbitrary decree where some people can be declared subhuman vs rule of law where everyone can live without constant fear.... i thought that this was supposed to be a civilization norm now... but i guess that some people wish to regress
I welcome the basic optimism of this analysis. However, can a leader truly be regarded as a nationalist if he consistently puts the interests of Israel above those of his own nation?
Zio-nationalist.
Same as Macron, Schøltz, Merz, Starmer etc.
NOTHING
After more than 2000 years of unstoppable wars and carnage in Europe, it is time to:
1- Suppress monarchies as a component of the governance formulae.
2. Scale down NATO to only North Atlantic countries
3. Dissolve the EU
4. Europe from Portugal to Poland, from Aberdeen to Athens, and Skarsvåg to Seville become NEUTRAL.
Mark my words. Roatan March 18, 2025
@Cesar Gonzales
Restrict NATO to Atlantic states?
Portugal has a large Atlantic coast...
Perhaps it would be clearer to ask that NATO be limited to the pre German reunification members?