Trumpism: How Trump Became More Than Just a Passing Political Moment

Direct threats against Mexico and Canada, promises of trade wars with China and the European Union, controversial executive orders, and a charged press conference with the Ukrainian president – this is how Trump launched his new term at the White House, stirring up even more controversy. The phenomenon of Trump has remained a persistent subject of debate; some classify him merely as a populist media phenomenon, an extension of the European right in an American form. However, others, especially academics and specialists, believe that Trump should be taken seriously, deeming him a phenomenon worthy of study and coining the term “Trumpism” as a new concept within political science.

Trumpism: Are We Facing a Complete Ideology?

A range of studies has attempted to trace the roots of “Trumpist” thought. According to research by journalist and author Olivier Postel, “Trumpist” thought represents a cluster of ideas that include populism, anti-elitism, extreme nationalism, and authoritarian traits, opposing centralization of power and the intellectual elite. Historically, the roots of the slogan “America First,” used by Trump, can be traced back to the 1920s, linked to local anti-immigrant movements, and revived in the 1990s through traditions of old conservatives.

In addition to this definition, several studies have sought to derive a set of characteristics of Trumpism. In an article published in “Foreign Policy,” political science professor Martin Quencez seeks to answer the question: Do the phenomenon of President Donald Trump indicate the limits of political science?

Martin adds that the chaotic manner in which Trump manages his administration poses challenges for political analysis, yet Trump’s strategy generally aligns with multi-dimensional long-term strategies. Among these strategies are:

• Charismatic Personality: This is a persona that captures attention through compelling rhetoric and personality, capitalizing on the decline of traditional political elites.
• Multidimensional Conservatism: Trump’s populism differs from known right-wing populisms in Europe, as it combines elements influenced by both right and left-wing ideas.
• Polarization: Trump creates intense polarization in public opinion, evident from decisions made during his first term, such as the repeal of health policies from the Obama era and immigration laws, leading to significant public division.

The difficulty in classifying Trumpist thought ideologically and economically does not imply the absence of a coherent intellectual system within Trump; he is firmly rooted in economic protectionism and does not adapt his rhetoric to a more diplomatic stance, which can be considered as Trump’s steadfast ideas. However, his thought remains interactive rather than systematically organized.

While some try to analyze the unique characteristics of Trump’s actions and political speech, others argue that Trumpism is merely a reaction to the failures of “liberal democratic” systems in both Europe and the United States. Proponents of this viewpoint argue that Donald Trump mirrors the shortcomings of these systems, criticizing international organizations and making decisions to withdraw from them, or tearing apart free trade agreements, along with a stricter approach to immigration issues that liberal and leftist parties handled with more flexibility, leading to an escalation of related problems.

Technical Feudalism

Another notable characteristic of the Trump era, which can be added to the above, is what has been termed “technical feudalism,” after Trump appointed a group of leaders from global technology companies, including Elon Musk, to his administration.

The term “technical feudalism,” coined by Greek politician and thinker Yanis Varoufakis, refers to the alliance between a technological elite and a political elite, facilitating the transformation of technology users into nearly “feudal” workers in an old sense, with the difference that today’s work is organized on an individual level, with socialization happening globally through platforms.

According to Yanis Varoufakis, despite capital being omnipresent, capitalism as an economic system no longer governs our societies. The markets and profits, the pillars of the old system, are now dominated by platforms like Amazon. These companies no longer aim to maximize profits through markets; instead, they capture rents, particularly through digital infrastructure.

The analysis presented in this article leads to a key conclusion: there is a need to reassess “Trumpism” as an intellectual framework that should be treated with seriousness, moving beyond the dismissive attitude some have held towards Trump as a mere populist and transient phenomenon. Trump has become a genuine threat to democratic systems and forms.