Webinar Report: Trump's America
This webinar occurred on October 23rd its purpose was to discuss the contentious civil issues and shattered factions present within the United States under current President Donald Trump, and to suggest future utilitarian remedies. The webinar featured speakers: Donald E. Pease, Professor in the Humanities and Chair of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at Dartmouth College, Stephen Shapiro, Professor of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick and Penny Von Eschen, Professor of American Studies and History at the University of Virginia. Each speaker intricately examined key themes including; abolitionist democracy, hegemony and U.S. foreign policy. After all parties had made their presentations and engaged in debates, the session was open for a questions and answers segment.
The session commenced with a nod to the past, most notable the 2016 election which saw Donald J. Trump elected as the 45th president of the United States. Professor Pease ensued to explain that Trump’s presence issues a continuous disengagement between liberalism and democracy. It is in fact an illustration of anti-globalism; his presidency has upset much of the progress made following the Second World War – which constituted peace keeping and, sustaining a solid relationship between the civil sphere and government mentality. Furthermore, Pease went on to claim that Mr. Trump has a duplicitous role in American political society: not only is he president, but he is also an usurper! Simultaneously; he was approved president by the electoral college, yet he is responsible for the insurrection of the populist movement. His behaviour is unrefined, inept and even comedic, in other words unpresidential.
The session continued with each speaker dissecting the conditions that produced Trumpism (its similarities to Thatcherism and Reganism era), including; neo-liberalism, the lack of structured society – the loss of the middle class, radicalisation of enemies both internally and externally. For instance, both invasions of the Middle East, which resulted in the destabilisation of nations and consequentially facilitating vast displacement of civilians. Thus, giving way for xenophobia and nationalism, and ultimately leading to the rise of white supremacy.
Nowadays U.S. foreign policy is unprecedentedly challenged; its current geo-position is now different from that of post WW2. Trump’s behaviour is little more than belligerent. On the global podium the position of his U.S. foreign policy boasts of two things: U.S. economic dominance and superiority, plus U.S. military dominance and superiority. Pease unflinchingly described the current administration as a dictatorship of a banana republic; an impossible to embarrass manifestation of crude strength. The webinar further emphasised that the U.S. squandered its global position, especially regarding Chinese naval strength and China’s control of Covid-19 (unlike the U.S.). Essentially, America is losing respect and authority internationally.
Professor Eschen elaborated on the component of Abolition Democracy, where origins can be traced back to the Reconstruction era. The case of George Floyd is a prime example, with far-reaching implications regarding perceptions of U.S. citizenship and policing. Bringing to the fore deep-seated ties with colonialism, in juxtaposition with modern day multiculturalism. Another example of U.S. unruliness comes via its attitude towards fracking, which impacts upon climate change. Thus, further exemplifying the country’s demeaning attitude towards immense domestic and global issues.
Approaching the close of this webinar, the question was raised if and how a reversal from partisanship may be possible. If Biden wins the election, the answer may possibly be yes. Solutions may include; holding perpetrators of hate crimes to account (e.g. Brave Boys). Currently, in Trump’s America integrated society is tenuous, and anxious sentiments are prevalent. The speakers made further recommendations for improvements post-Trump. Wherein, every citizen must view themselves differently, re-adopt the unifying language of ‘’we.’’ In essence politics ought to return to mundane bearings in order to restore a cohesive society. Already Biden cuts a more thoughtful, empathic figure, along with being a good mediator between the often antagonistic right and left wing factions.
Ellenmarie Russell is a MA student at UCD Clinton Institute.