Anti-systemic populism has emerged as the dominant force across the globe. The win of Donald Trump in the USA, the country that whether we like it or not is the leading force in the West, is paving the way for the age of monsters.
A colorful candidate who managed to overwhelm his fellow candidates within the Republican party and subsequently convince the majority of the electorate, against almost all predictions, will soon lead a superpower. Armed with demagoguery, racism towards foreigners, migrants and others, he managed to convince millions of his compatriots that he is an anti-systemic force!
He invested in fear, insecurity and voter anger; he fueled conspiracy theories on social and political events and managed to convince that he is an alternative to the corrupt elite. The USA may have managed to overcome the financial crisis and reduce unemployment under Obama; however inequalities remained as strong as ever.
The middle classes, who have seen their quality of life drop, rather than increase in the age of globalization, appear to be Trump’s main supporters. His populist rhetoric, constant lies managed to turn a raw popular anger into a political force which literally swept through all rational reactions.
We also experienced this phenomenon in Europe with Brexit and the rise of far right populism in many countries. It is almost certain that this anti-system rhetoric will continue to rise.
Aside from the developments in the USA, the entire world is entering a new, unpredictable period. We have a period of general insecurity ahead of us. The first messages from the markets are indicative. An ignorant world leader who easily makes threats left and right may open up a can of worms at any moment. With so may open fronts around us, one more global disorder is the last thing we needed. The only hope, perhaps, to not confirm the age of monsters if the for the institutional counterweights in American democracy to contain the arrogant and ruthless new President…
TO VIMA
