President Donald Trump watches as Cuban violinist

Politics

مأساة سياسية أمريكية

Sep 12, 2017 Helmut K. Anheier

برلين - اتسمت الأشهرالثمانية التي قضاها الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب في منصبه بسلسلة من التطورات السياسية المزعجة. ولكن اللوم لا يقع على عاتق ترامب وحده. إن رئاسته ليست سوى آخر مرحلة في مأساة سياسية طويلة الأمد.

ومن منظور السياسة الخارجية، بدأت المشكلة في التسعينيات، عندما أهدرت الولايات المتحدة فوائد السلام بعد الحرب الباردة. وفيما يتعلق بالسياسة الداخلية، فقد بدأت الأزمات في وقت سابق: من ريغانوميكس في الثمانينيات إلى أوباماكير في 2010، كانت السياسات الرائدة غالبا زائفة ومخيبة للآمال، كما فشلت في معالجة المشاكل الأساسية.

وبطبيعة الحال، فإن السياسيين الأمريكيين نادرا ما يخفقون في إيجاد الشعارات الرنانة في حملاتهم الانتخابية- من "الصباح في أمريكا" لرونالد ريغان إلى شعار "نعم، نستطيع" لباراك أوباما، إلى شعار دونالد ترامب "أمريكا أولا". وبداية من جون ف. كينيدي، شبه الرؤساء الولايات المتحدة "بمدينة على هضبة" - كقُدوة للعالم كله.

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0 Comments on this paragraph, 10 Comments on this article

Madurai Padmanabhan Sep 18, 2017

This is a first time. A non -American has commented on the political system there. However, as all discourses these days, it is just some more Trump bashing eventually.
That in Essence is the issue, moral character is the most valued resource in politics. But it is a pipe dream. If you are good you can't be political.
The same argument is valid when you want to change the system. Who will act? It is not in anyone' s self interest to do so.
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Bernard MARKOWICZ Sep 17, 2017

I find the analysis of Dr. Anheier somewhat naive and simplistic. Government and politicians tend to follow society, not lead it. The last 15 years have seen key liberal developments in American society, such as LGBT rights, marijuana liberalization and the concept of healthcare for all. Trump's election is a reaction to these rapid developments, thanks in part to the electoral college system. I say "thanks to" because this is precisely what the electoral college was designed to do: enable a sizable portion of the electorate to put the breaks on the democratic majority and the rapid changes that have taken place recently. Change is never easy.

True, Trump and the right are trying to loosen the Federal Government's grip on social and economic power. But the United States is a federation of States, and lesser power in the Center means more power to the States. If Oklahoma does not want to pay its teachers decent wages and its community will ultimately pay the price. Other States are and will offer superior education and attract employers hungry for skilled labor. That's how it goes. Those are the dynamics that keep and will keep the United States economy competitive and innovating for the foreseeable future.
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Bernhard Kopp Sep 15, 2017

No democracy can function without the 'demos'. Voter-participation in primaries is dismal. Only radical party activists and donors select and determine who gets nominated. Voter turn-out for elections to legislatures is equally dismal. Even for presidential elections it is hardly representative. Even a popular Obama was elected by 27% of the citizens eligible to vote. Only the voting-age population can realign the party system and make it much more representative and as a consequence better working.
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Petey Bee Sep 13, 2017

The US political system is set up for two parties. Single seat districts and winner-take-all election schemes ensure that. There are some obscure asymmetries that make for some dynamic possibilities, but not much really. (for example, in presidential elections a rising third party favors the "small state" party more than the "large state" party, due to the "House of Representatives" rule when no party gets a clean majority).

For the most part though, it would take truly catastrophic self-destruction on the level of ideology and belief, by the 2 parties, for there to be any possibility of change. As it happens, we had just such a thing last year. The most popular politician in the country is a self-described democratic-socialist. The Republican voters have absolutely no respect for their own party, call them all sorts of names that would get you kicked off a polite online discussion - they vote for them just to spite their coastal-city neighbors. the Democrats meanwhile struggle mightily to support the same Reaganomics while convincing their own voters that social policies common throughout the world are "impossible", wasting precious time that could be used to reverse the great job they did alienating independents last year.
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Aimee WH Sep 13, 2017

You over estimate the Democrats. I see the current leadership, read Chuck and Nancy, as completely willing to cozy up to the Don if it suits their purposes. The problem then is same as it ever was, the will of the populace is shunned and the electorate becomes even more angry and bitter. Could we see the day a genocide might occur on these shining shores? Had you asked me that question 3 years ago I would have thought you were nuts. Now it seems a possibility far easier to imagine. Yes, no one in their right mind would align with Trump, but you underestimate the breadth of hubris in today's American political animal.
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Steve Hurst Sep 12, 2017

Trump is a great deal more likely to fail and in doing so will pull the Republicans into a vortex along with their Addams Family Values. If Democrats align with Trump and they too will be pulled into the vortex. The Democrat position has to be to be seen as the voice of reason and moderation of Trump destructive acts. Democrats are no more likely to cosy up to Trump than Jupiter align with Mars in a mystic crystal revelation. What is Trump, not even Trump knows - its all revolving doors, distorting mirrors and a carousel ride. And the painted ponies go up and down. We're captive on the carousel of time. We can't return we can only look behind. From where we came. And go round and round and round. In the circle game. I would enjoy seeing Republicans and Democrats entering the Trump Tunnel of Love in the same carriage, however they are more likely to be booked onto the Scary Spooky ride. Nobody in their right mind would align with Trump until they knew what Trump was otherwise they could be Dracula's Bride. Hope and History do not rhyme.
- Aimee WH Sep 13, 2017
  
  You over estimate the Democrats. I see the current leadership, read Chuck and Nancy, as completely willing to cozy up to the Don if it suits their puposes. The problem then is same as it ever was, the will of the populace is shunned and the electorate becomes even more angry and bitter. Could we see the day a genocide could occur on these shining shores? Had you asked me that question 3 years ago I would have thought you were nuts. Now it seems a possibility far easier to imagine. Yes, no one in their right mind would align with Trump, but your underestimate the breadth of hubris in today American political animal.
  - Steve Hurst Sep 13, 2017
    
    Sounds like the blind date from hell. You are talking about a one party state, albeit a siamese twin one party state. Or a one dish menu - it doesnt matter what you order there is only the one dish. I did dine at an eatery like that once but only the once
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  - Steve Hurst Sep 13, 2017
    
    Sounds like the blind date from hell. You are talking about a one party state, albeit a siamese twin one party state. Or a one dish menu - it doesnt matter what you order there is only the one dish. I did dine at an eatery like that once but only the once
    - Steve Hurst Sep 13, 2017
      
      Pro Syn, this site remains flakey with update problems and navigation problems
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